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Full text of "The new court house of Monroe County; its architecture, construction and cost, with a brief history of the erection of Monroe County and its first and second court houses"

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Cbc  new  Court  l)o«$e 


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monroe  County 


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THE  NEW  COURT  HOUSE 
OF  MONROE  COUNTY 

Published  by 

THE  ROCHESTER  PUBLISHING  COMPANY, 

763  Powers  Bldg^  Rochester,  N.  Y. 


NEW    MONROE    COUNTY    COURT   HOUSE. 


The  New  Court  House 


OF 


Monroe  County 


ITS  ARCHITECTURE,   CONSTRUCTION   AND  COST,   WITH   A   BRIEF   HISTORY  OF  THE   ERECTION   OF 
MONROE   COUNTY  AND   ITS   FIRST  AND   SECOND  COURT   HOUSES 


3W 


ROCHESTER,  NEW  YORK 
MDCCCXCVI 

Copyright,  1S95,  by  Charles  A.  Watkvns. 


'-/^/7  C 


STATUE   OF   JUSTICE 

ON    DOME   OF 

SECOND    COURT    HOUSE. 


The  County  of  Monroe 


HILH  it  is  not  within  the  scope  of  this  Memorial  of  the  Court  Houses  of  Monroe  County,  New  York,  to  review  the  oft-told 
history  of  the  invasion  of  the  white  man  into  the  land  of  the  Iroquois,  it  has  been  very  properly  t;uggested  that  a  relation  of 
the  establishment  of  the  county  of  Monroe  would  be  entirely  in  keeping. 

Briefly,  then,  it  may  be  stated  that  in  1716,  ninety  years  after  the  appearance  of  Father  Daillon,  a  French  missionary 
and  presumably  the  first  white  man  to  enter  Western  New  York,  the  French  built  a  fort,  probably  at  Sea  Breeze,  to  command 
rondequoit  Bay.  After  the  Revolution  Oliver  Phelps  and  Nathaniel  Gorham  bought  2,6oo,cxx)  acres  of  land,  including  the  present  site  of 
Rochester,  from  Massachusetts  and  the  Indians.  They  in  turn  sold  to  Robert  Morris  1,264,569  acres.  The  land  in  Rochester  that  was  not 
;old  by  Phelps  and  Gorham  to  Robert  Morris  was  a  tract  of  one  hundred  acres  which  they  had  previously  transferred  to  Ebenezer  Allan  on 
rendition  that  he  would  build  a  mill  on  it.  Ebenezer  or  "Indian"  Allan,  so-called  from  his  associations  with  the  Indians,  is  regarded  as 
:he  first  Caucasian  to  settle  at  the  Falls  of  the  Genesee.  He  built  his  mill  in  1789,  and  the  mill-stones,  one  of  red  and  the  other  of  grey 
iranite-like  stone,  and  three  feet  and  nine  inches  in  diameter  and  from  nine  to  eleven  inches  thick,  are  now  to  be  seen  in  the  west 
A-all  of  the  cortili'  of  the  New  Court  House. 

But  it  was  not  for  nearly  a  score  of  years  that  the  improvements  were  begun  that  have  made  Rochester  one  of  the  most  widely 
known  of  American  cities.  The  city's  history  may  be  said  to  have  begun  when  the  purchase  of  the  hundred-acre-tract  was  made  by 
Charles  Carroll,  William  Fitzhugh,  and  Nathaniel  Rochester.  This  was  accomplished  in  1803  and  cost  them  ;gi750,  that  being  the  price 
isked  by  John  Johnston,  at  the  time  attorney  for  Sir  William  Pulteney,  the  owner. 

In  1809  the  Legislature  passed  an  act  authorizing  the  Supervisors  of  Ontario  and  Genesee  counties  to  provide  for  the  "building 
3f  a  bridge  across  the  Genesee  river  between  the  towns  of  Boyle  and  Northampton,  at  the  place  where  the  North  State  road  crosses  the 
iaid  Genesee  river."  The  bridge  cost  ;^2000  and  was  completed  in  1812.  The  determination  to  build  a  bridge  gave  a  decided  impetus  to 
the  embryo  city.  The  second  war  with  Great  Britain,  however,  considerably  retarded  the  growth  of  Rochester,  but  with  its  termination 
Rochester  entered  upon  a  period  of  enlargement  that  has  no  limitations.     In  1818  the  population  was  1049. 

Until  1821  Ontario  county  included  the  eastern  half  of  Monroe,  all  of  Wayne,  all  of  the  present  Ontario,  the  eastern  part  of 
Livingston,  and  all  of  Yates  counties.     Genesee  county  included  the  western  half  of  Monroe,  the  western  part  of  Livingston,  all  of  Orleans 


and  of  the  present  Genesee  counties.  The  county  seat  of  Genesee  was  at  Batavia,  and 
that  of  Ontario  was  at  Canandaij^ua.  The  viila^ie  of  Rochester  was  therefore  partly  in 
Ontario  and  partly  in  Genesee  county,  the  river  being  the  dividing  line. 

In  those  days  debtors  who  were  unable  to  pay  judgments  againt  them  were  liable 
to  imprisonment  for  debt,  but  the  sheriff  of  the  county  to  whom  an  execution  for  the 
collection  of  the  debt  was  delivered  could  arrest  the  debtor  onlv  within  the  limits  of  his 
jurisdiction.  Old  residents  of  Rochester  say  that  it  was  a  common  thing  to  see  a  luckless 
debtor  running  with  all  speed  from  the  pursuing  sheriff,  to  cross  the  middle  of  the  bridge 
connecting  the  two  parts  of  the  village,  for  when  he  crossed  that  line  he  could  not  be 
arrested  by  the  sheriff  of  the  county  on  the  other  side. 

The  two  counties,  Ontario  and  Genesee,  in  1816,  had  a  population  of  about  eighty 
thousand  and  comprised  a  territory  of  about  thirty-seven  thousand  square  miles,  a  district 
considerably  larger  than  the  state  of  Rhode  island.  The  difficulties  which  the  people  of 
Rochester  and  the  neighborhood  had  in  doing  county  business  were  enough  to  suggest  the 
desirability  of  forming  a  new  county,  with  Rochester  as  its  seat  of  justice.  But  little 
commercial  business  was  done  by  these  persons  either  at  Canandaigua  or  Batavia,  except 
in  connection  with  the  courts  held  at  those  places,  and  the  county  clerk's,  sheriff's,  and 
treasurer's  offices.  Their  ordinary  business  did  not  take  them  there  in  those  days  ;  the 
roads  were  bad  and  the  bridges  were  poor,  and  the  excursions  of  travelers  from  Rochester 
to  these  county  seats  were  not  only  arduous,  but  sometimes  even  dangerous.  Neither 
Canandaigua  nor  Bata\'ia  was  a  center  of  trade,  while  Rochester  was,  and  the  reasons  of 
the  promoters  of  the  scheme  were  both  forcible  and  urgent. 

As  early  as  December,  18 16,  the  matter  of  the  division  of  Ontario  and  Genesee 
counties  was  agitated  in  Rochester  and  a  subscription  list  was  circulated  to  raise  funds 
"for  erecting  the  Court  House  and  Gaol,  provided  the  Legislature  at  their  next  session 
shall  *  «  *  mcorporate  a  new  county  from  the  northwest  part  of  Ontario  and  the  north 
part  of  Genesee  counties  and  shall  fix  the  seat  of  justice  of  said  new  county  »  *  * 
near  the  bridge  at  the  Genesee  Falls." 


Subscriptions  were  obtained  to  the  amount  of  $6722.50  from  residents  of  the  village  of  Rochester,  of  which  amount  $387.50  was 
to  be  paid  in  lumber,  team  work,  and  labor.  Charles  Carroll,  William  Fitzhugh,  Nathaniel  Rochester,  and  the  firms  of  Montgomery  & 
Rochester,  F.  Brown  &  Company,  and  Frederick,  Abraham,  and  Charles  Hanford  subscribed  $500  each.  Every  prominent  citizen  added 
his  name  to  the  list. 

The  petition  circulated  at  that  time  among  the  inhabitants  of  the  counties  of  Ontario  and  Genesee,  praying  for  a  new  county, 
recites,  among  other  things,  that  the  administration  of  justice  should  be  speedy  and  certain  ;  that  four  terms  of  court  were  held  in  each 
year  in  Ontario  county,  and  three  in  Genesee  ;  that  it  was  not  unusual  for  a  moiety  of  the  issues  joined  in  each  of  those  counties  to  be 
unavoidably  put  over  from  term  to  term  ;  that  in  the  short  time  of  five  years  a  wilderness  had  been  made  to  retire  before  the  hand  of 
industry  and  to  give  place  to  villages,  wealth,  and  the  arts  ;  that,  while  the  petitioners  were  led  by  multiplied  concerns  to  the  settlements 
on  the  Genesee  river,  it  was  seldom  that  they  visited  Canandaigua  or  Batavia  for  any  other  objects  than  attendance  upon  courts  or  calls 
at  public  offices  ;  that  those  places  possessed  no  local  advantages,  independent  of  being  shire  towns,  to  render  them  seats  of  business. 

This  petition  asked  for  a  county  substantially  of  the  dimensions  and  bounds  of  the  present  Monroe,  and  was  signed  by  several 
thousand  persons.  Two  plans  were  evolved  about  the  same  time,  looking  to  the  desired  result.  One  was  "to  set  off  twelve  miles  on 
the  west  side  of  Ontario  county  and  twelve  miles  on  the  east  side  of  Genesee  county,  and  to  make  two  new  counties  about  twenty-four 
miles  square  each."  The  other  was  to  make  this  whole  district,  twenty-four  miles  wide  by  forty-eight  miles  long,  into  one  county,  with  a 
county  seat  at  Avon. 

Petitions  opposing  the  division  were  also  circulated  and  signatures  were  obtained  to  the  number  of  a  little  less  than  two  thousand. 
Residents  of  Canandaigua  and  of  a  few  other  parts  of  the  two  old  counties  actively  resisted  any  division  whatever,  being  led  in  their 
opposition  by  county  and  State  officers.  Colonel  Nathaniel  Rochester  and  Dr.  Matthew  Brown,  Jr.,  were  selected  as  agents  of  the 
petitioners  for  the  new  county,  and  went  to  Albany  early  in  1817  to  present  the  petitions  and  to  advocate  the  plan,  as  well  as  to  secure 
the  incorporation  of  the  village  of  Rochester.  At  the  session  of  the  Legislature  a  favorable  report  was  secured  from  the  committee  of  the 
Assembly,  but  the  plan  failed  in  the  Assembly  itself.  The  village  of  Rochesterville  was,  however,  incorporated  on  April  21,  1817,  and 
retained  that  name  until  April  12,  1822,  when  it  was  changed  to  Rochester. 

No  active  steps  were  taken  to  proceed  in  the  matter  of  the  division  until  the  aLitumn  nf  1817,  when  meetings  were  held  in  the 
different  towns  which  it  was  proposed  t(i  unite  in  the  new  county,  and  petitions  were  circulated  similar  to  that  presented  to  the  previous 
Legislature. 

The  desire  for  the  division  of  the  old  counties  kept  increasing,  and  an  active  campaign  was  begun  in  October,  1818,  by  the 
appointment  of  delegates  from  the  towns,  and  a  meeting  at  A.  Ensw(jrth's  in  Rochesterville.     Pittsford,  Brighton,  Henrietta,  and  Perinton 


in  Ontario  county,  and  Riga,  Parma,  Gates,  and  Ogden  in  Genesee  county,  were  represented  at  tliis  convention.  It  was  decided  tliat 
these  towns,  together  with  Penfield,  Murray,  Sweden,  and  a  part  of  Bergen,  should  be  included  in  the  proposed  county.  A  committee 
was  appointed  to  prepare  a  petition  to  the  Legislature  and  separate  committees  in  each  town  were  selected  to  circulate  it.  The  petition 
was  presented  to  the  Assembly  on  January  12,  1819,  and  was  immediately  referred  to  a  committee,  which  reported  favorably  on  January 
29,  but  two  attempts  to  secure  favorable  action  in  the  Assembly  failed  of  success.  This  failure  was  due  to  the  fear  of  the  rival  political 
parties  that  the  division  of  the  old  counties  and  the  erection  of  new  ones  would  introduce  elements  of  uncertainty  into  the  campaigns  of 
that  spring  and  of  the  succeeding  spring. 

In  the  fall  of  1819  there  was  still  greater  energy  and  activity  on  the  part  of  the  divisionists,  who  had  suffered  defeat  in  the  elections 
of  the  previous  spring.  A  convention  of  delegates  from  the  towns  interested  in  the  proposed  division  was  held  on  December  2,  1819,  at 
A.  Ensworth's  m  Rochesterville,  and  committees  were  appointed  for  the  purpose  of  appearing  before  the  coming  Legislature  with  a  petition 
which  was  referred  to  the  standing  committee  of  the  Assembly  on  counties,  which,  after  hearing  many  parties  both  for  and  against  the 
proposed  division,  recommended  that  the  matter  be  postponed  to  the  succeeding  Legislature.  In  this  the  Assembly  concurred.  The  year  1820 
was  a  presidential  year.  At  this  period  the  electors  for  president  and  vice-president  were  appointed  by  the  Legislature,  and  the  political 
complexion  of  the  Legislature  to  be  elected  in  the  spring  of  1820  was  of  more  than  ordinary  importance.  This  fact  doubtless  had  much  to 
do  with  the  report  of  the  committee  of  the  Assembly  and  the  postponement  of  all  proceedings  by  the  Legislature  of  that  year. 

Nevertheless,  the  petitioners  were  not  discouraged  by  four  successive  failures,  and  with  increased  zeal  and  vigor  took  proceedings 
during  the  summer  and  autumn  of  1820  to  make  their  next  attempt  a  sure  success.  The  Legislature  met  on  January  9,  1821.  The 
petitions  for  the  new  counties  were  presented  this  time  to  the  Senate.  Counter  petitions  by  thirteen  hundred  remonstrants  were  offered 
by  the  opponents  of  division.  On  January  22  the  bill  to  erect  Monroe  county  passed  the  Senate  by  a  unanimous  vote.  In  the  Assembly 
the  bill  met  with  vigorous  opposition,  but  was  passed  by  a  vote  of  seventy-three  to  twenty-seven.  The  council  of  revision,  then  having 
the  veto  power,  approved  the  bill  on  February  23,  1821,  and  the  act  stands  as  chapter  57  of  the  laws  of  1821,  and  is  entitled,  "  An  act  to 
erect  a  new  county  by  the  name  of  Monroe,  from  parts  of  the  counties  of  Ontario,  Genesee,  and  for  other  purposes." 

The  new  county,  named  after  James  Monroe,  then  the  President  of  the  United  States,  included  the  towns  of  Gates,  Parma,  Ogden, 
Clarkson,  Brighton,  Penfield,  Perinton,  Pittsford,  Mendon,  Henrietta,  a  part  of  Sweden,  a  part  of  Rush,  and  a  portion  of  Caledonia,  which 
was  newly  named  the  town  of  Inverness.  Within  the  boundaries  of  the  new  county  were  also  such  part  of  the  territory  in  the  counties  of 
Ontario  and  Genesee  "  as  is  included  between  the  southern  shore  of  Lake  Ontario  on  the  south,  the  boundary  between  the  United  States 
and  Upper  Canada  on  the  north,  the  easterly  line  of  the  town  of  Penfield  continued  to  the  said  boundary  line  on  the  east,  and  the  westerly 
line  of  the  triangle  continued  to  the  said  boundary  line  on  the  west."     Commissioners  were  appointed  to  determine  the  proper  site  or  sites 


tor  u  court  house  and  gaul  to  he  erected  in  the  county  of  Monroe.  A  Court  of  Common  Pleas  and  a  Court  of  General  Sessions  were 
established  and  terms  of  said  courts  were  provided  for.  One  member  of  Assembly  was  apportioned  to  the  new  county.  Elisha  Ely  and 
Levi  Ward,  Jr.,"  of  the  town  of  Briohton,"  and  James  Seymour,  "  of  the  town  of  Clarkson,"  were  appointed  commissioners  to  superintend 
the  building  of  the  court-house  and  gaol,  and  two  assessments  of  five  thousand  dollars  each  were  authorized  to  be  collected  for  the  expenses 
of  the  erection  of  the  count\-  buildings  and  for  the  contingent  expenses  of  the  county. 

The  council  of  appointment,  in  whom  the  power  of  naming  the  county  officers  was  vested,  on  .March  5,  1821,  appointed  Elisha  B. 
Strong  as  the  First  Judge  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  Timothy  Childs  as  District  Attorney,  and  Nathaniel  Rochester  as  county  clerk  ; 
on  March  7th  James  Seymour  was  appointed  sheriff,  and  on  March  loth  Elisha  Ely  received  his  commission  as  surrogate.  At  the 
election  of  the  same  year  Nathaniel  Rochester  was  elected  the  first  member  of  Assembly  from  the  new  county,  and  he  satin  the  Legislature 
of  1822  ;  in  November,  1822,  Elisha  Ely  was  appointed  county  clerk  in  his  place,  and  March  28,  1823,  Orrin  E.  Gibbs  was  appointed 
surrogate  in  the  place  of  Mr.  Ely. 


The  First  Court  House 


HE  onl_\-  further  question  to  be  settled  after  the  passage  of  the  bill  was  that  of  the  site  of  the  count\-  buildings.     It  appears  that 

three  lots  were  offered  to  the  commissioners  :    One,  the  lot  now  occupied  by  the  Court  House  in  this  city,  the  two  others  on  the 

cast  side  of  the  river,  one  being  a  part  of  Enos  Stone's  garden,  and  another  a  lot  on  North  St.  Paul  street.     The  court-house 

lot  (which  was  finally  accepted)  was  argued  to  be  the  best  site  for  the  purpose,  for  a  number  of  reasons  which  were  comparisons 

of  the  cast  and  west  sides  of  the  river. 

The  lot  was  sold  by  Messrs.  Rochester,  Carroll,  and  Fitzhugh  for  one  dollar  to  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  by  an  indenture  made  May 

24,  1 82 1,  and  a  clause  in  the  deed  required  that  the  land  should  forever  be  occupied  by  the  Board  of  Supervisors  or  their  successors.     The 

lot  had  a  frontage  of  one  hundred  and  sixty-six  feet  on  Main  street,  and  two  hundred  and  sixty-four  feet  on  Fitzhugh  street. 

The  corner-stone  of  the  first  Court  House  was  laid  in  the  presence  of  Governor  De  Witt  Clinton,  and  Lieutenant-Governor  Taylor, 
with  imposing  ceremonies  on  the  first  day  of  December,  1821. 


VINCENT   AND   SELAH    MATHEWS"    LAW   OFFICE. 

FIRST   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH. 


FIRST   MONROE   COUNTY  COURT   HOUSE 

BUILT    1821. 


COUNTY    CLERK'S    OFFICE. 


ST.    LUKE'S   CHURCH. 


HIGH    SCHOOL. 


The  Court  House  building  was  fifty-four  feet  long,  forty-four  wide,  and  forty  high.  It  presented  two  fronts,  one  facing  Court 
square,  showing  two  stories  and  a  base  —  the  other  towards  Buffalo,  now  Main  street,  two  stories  and  a  full  basement.  Each  front  was 
furnished  with  a  projecting  portico,  thirty  feet  long  and  ten  wide,  supported  by  four  fluted  Ionic  columns,  surmounted  by  a  regular 
entabluture  and  balustrade,  which  returned  and  continued  along  the  whole  front.  From  the  center  of  the  building  arose  an  octagonal  belfry, 
covered  by  a  cupola.  The  court-room  was  on  the  second  story,  extending  the  entire  length  and  breadth  of  the  building.  The  total  cost  of 
the  first  court-house  did  not  exceed  $7500. 


The  Second  Court  House 


S  the  country  expanded  and  became  populous,  and  Rochester  arose  to  the  dignity  of  a  large  and  thriving  city  in  the  heart  of  then 
the  most  fertile  region  of  the  United  States,  the  need  for  a  new  court-house  became  more  and  more  evident  with  each  succeeding 
year,  until  in  i848-'49  the  agitation  assumed  such  proportions  that  the  Board  of  Supervisors  on  March  27,  1850,  resolved  to 
unite  with  the  city  in  the  erection  of  a  building  for  their  joint  use.  Work  was  at  once  begun,  and  the  corner-stone  was  laid  on 
June  20,  1850,  an  immense  gathering  for  those  days  witnessing  the  ceremonies.      The  second  court-house  was  erected  at  a 


st  of  nearly  $60,000. 


SECOND  MONROE  COUNTY  COURT  HOUSE. 


The  New  Court  House 


HI1,E  the  second  court-house  was  a  noble  buildina  in  its  day,  it  became  apparent  a  decade  since  that  it  was  not  adequate  for  the 
transaction  of  the  rapidly-increasing  business  of  Monroe  County.  It  was  demonstrated  several  years  before  the  building  was 
razed  that  the  sanitary  condition  was  poor.  Then,  too,  there  were  no  elevators  and  not  enough  court-rooms.  The  agitation 
for  a  new  court  house  was  begun  in  1890,  but  it  was  not  until  February,  1893,  that  the  Board  of  Supervisors  took  up  the 
matter  by  resolving  that  it  was  advisable  to  have  a  new  tire-proof  court-house.  The  Board  met  in  special  session  in  March 
of  that  year  and  it  was  determined  to  build  on  the  present  site.  Messrs.  Otis,  Goss,  Starkweather,  Pratt,  Armstrong,  Oberlies, 
Englehardt,  Gottschalk,  Beebe,  and  Gallup  were  elected  as  the  committee  which  should  have  charge  of  the  building.  At  another  special 
session  in  June,  J.  Foster  Warner  of  this  city  was  chosen  architect. 

The  corner-stone  was  laid  on  July  4,  1894,  and  the  box  contained  all  the  articles  that  were  enclosed  in  the  corner-stones  of  the  first 
and  second  court-houses. 

The  cost  of  building  and  furnishing  the  new  Court  House  was  as  follows  :  For  enclosing  and  rooting,  $295,343;  interior  finishing, 
5339,447;  steam  heating  and  ventilating,  $25,120;  elevators,  $8859;  gas  and  electric  fixtures,  $18,000;  decorating,  $5273;  mail 
chute,  $975;  sidewalks,  $2155.75;  permanent  fixtures,  including  office  furniture,  $57,790.23;  carpets,  $8000;  furniture,  $21,657.88; 
extras  on  e.xterior,  $1487.96;  architect's  fees,  $20,899.80.     Total  cost,  $805,008.62. 

The  new  building  was  occupied  by  most  of  the  court  and  county  officials  on  the  first  day  of  July,  1896. 


The  Exterior 


HIS  maturing  period  of  Amt-rican  art.  whicli  has  accepted  the  Renaissance  in  architecture  as  Europe  accepted  it  tour  centuries  ago, 
takes  forward  a  mighty  stride  in  the  erection  of  the  Monroe  County  Court  House.  As  the  Boston  Public  Library  marked  an 
f  poch  in  the  building  of  New  England  and  inaugurated  our  public  use  of  the  French  Renaissance,  so  this  Court  House  marks  an 
epoch  in  the  building  of  Western  New  York,  and  inaugurates  our  public  use  of  the  Italian  Renaissance.  America  is  just 
commencing  to  build  iTi  earnest— for  all  time  ;  and  her  citizens  are  just  commencing  to  realize  of  what  great  importance  good 
architecture  is.  Architecture  is  the  dress  of  a  nation  ;  not  only  its  dress,  hut  half  its  being.  And  ue  who  stand  to-day  upon  the  threshold 
of  a  areater  national  existence,  and  look  forward  to  the  sweeping  away  of  our  temporary  utilitarian  structures  and  a  strong  magnificence  of 
buikling  which  will  complement  that  existence,— must  realize  the  important  part  of  leadership  to  be  played  by  the  first  great  civic  building, 
purely  of  the  style  that  our  civic  buildings  will  follow. 

'  The  Monroe  County  Court  House  is  a  wonderful  combination  of  those  divergent  styles  of  the  Renaissance  which  developed  at  Rome,  at 
Florence  and  on  the  plains  of  Lombardy.  It  is  neither  wholly  astylar,  nor  wholly  arcaded  ;  it  is  neither  a  Pitti,  nor  a  Grimani.  It  unites 
in  a  most  rhythmical  composition  some  of  the  profoundest  ideas  of  Bramante,  Burgognone,  Brunelleschi,  and  Michelozzo.  Yet  it  follows  no 
one  of  those  combinations  uhich  Italy  herself  saw  in  the  later  age  of  the  Renaissance.  It  has  no  exact  precedent  for  its  union  of  ideas. 
Even  if  it  had,  if  it  adhered  closely  to  one  developed  type,  if  it  aped  the  very  proportions  and  details  of  a  precedent  structure,  it  would  still 
be  a  masterpiece  in  its  application  to  modern  uses  and  requirements. 

This  palace  of  justice  is  divided  by  string-courses  into  three  horizontal  departments  :  the  high  double-basement ;  the  union  of  second 
and  third  stories  under  a  series  of  heavy  hood-mouldings,  which  arch  the  high  recesses  of  the  windows  ;  and  the  almost  continuous  arcade 
above.  The  basement,  lofty,  rusticaed,  and  projecting,  gives  the  building  its  solidity,  its  weight,  its  necessary  strength.  These  high 
basements  are  mainly  a  development  of  the  Veronese  school  ;  yet  at  Verona  it  is  rare  to  find  them  double  ;  that  is,  with  two  courses  of 
windows,  the  lower  of  which  is  upon  a  level  with  the  ground.  The  latter  idea  is  found  exemplified  in  Bramante's  great  work,  the  Palazzo 
della  Cancellaria  at  Rome.  There  we  see  these  same  deep,  rectangular  sub-basement  windows,  placed  directly  under  the  higher  apertures ; 
though  they  have  not  double-lights,  and  a  small  string-course  surmounts  them.  The  higher  windows  here  are  unique.  Their  deep 
reces^ses,  square,   heavy   dividing-piers   instead   of  columns,   and   entire   lack   of   moulding,  cornice,   or   pediment— partake,  save  for  the 


consoles,  of  the  most  rigid  purity  of  the  Renaissance.  The  strong  effect  obtained  by  their  proportion  of  openings  to  the  solid,  makes  this 
basement  thorougly  astylar,  in  spite  of  the  portico.  The  rustica,  though  proceeding  like  all  rustica  from  Florence,  is  seen  chiefly  at  Rome. 
Its  lightness,  obtained  by  channeling  the  edges  of  the  stones  upon  one  side  only  and  giving  therefore  a  horizontal  effect,  is  somewhat  rare 
in  a  first  story.     Its  best  example  is  found  in  another  of  Bramante's  Roman  structures,  the  Palazzo  Torlonia. 

The  architect  is  most  daring  in  his  treatment  of  the  doorway  ;  tor  this  portico  of  detached  columns  upholding  a  balcony  is  more  of 
a  pure  Greek  revival,  supposedly  incongruous  to  the  astylar  renaissance  ;  without  the  most  dexterous  management  it  would  utterly  destroy 
all  the  effect  gained  by  the  fine  proportion  of  lights  and  shadows.  Yet  it  has  prototypes.  A  prominent  one  is  that  upon  the  Palazzo 
N'erospi  at  Rome,  a  work  of  Onorio  Lunghi's.  The  Verospi,  like  most  astylar  palaces,  has  one  doorway;  the  Court  House  has  three. 
But  these  large  openings  in  the  lower  part  of  the  facade  are  carefully  proportioned  to  the  extent  of  wall  above  and  upon  each  side.  It  is 
the  upper  part  of  the  Rochester  palace  which  contains  the  main  theme.  The  basement,  lofty  and  imposing  as  it  is,  combining  as  it  does 
exquisite  ideas  from  the  Cancellaria,  the  Torlonia,  and  the  Verospi,  is  only  a  foundation.  From  it  mount  the  two-story  window-recesses 
to  that  magnificent  sweep  of  moulding-arches,  over  whose  swelling  tops  trips  lightly  and  gracefully  one  of  the  sweetest  arcades  that  ever 
drew  inspiration  from  Italy.  This  Florentine  superstructure  stands  upon  its  grim  Roman  foundation  in  a  union  of  commanding  strength 
and  easy,  brilliant  beauty.  To  combine  these  qualities  of  power  and  grace  in  one  building  is  the  supreme  test  of  architectural  genius. 
Raskin  says  that  it  has  been  perfectly  accomplished  only  once,  in  the  Campanile  of  Giotto.  And  just  so  in  the  world  of  sculpture  has  it 
been  perfectly  accomplished  only  once,  in  the  Hercules  of  Pompeii. 

In  the  Court  House  the  blending  of  these  antagonistic  forces  has  been  brought  about  by  the  most  daring  superimposition  of  the 
arcaded  renaissance  upon  the  astylar,  of  lightness  upon  heaviness,  of  grace  and  movement  upon  rigidity.  Yet  this  has  been  done  with 
such  skill  that  there  is  not  a  clash,  not  a  discordant  note.  The  facade  of  this  extraordinary  building  mounts  toward  heaven  with  the 
felicitous,  imperceptible  gradation  of  color  in  a  peachblow  vase.  Beginning  with  ponderosity  and  rigidity  it  merges,  as  it  climbs,  into 
smiling  severity  —  into  beaming  grandeur  —  into  happy,  riotous  magnificence  —  into  sweetest,  airiest  grace.  And  yet  it  does  not  appear  to 
taper  or  to  be  unduly  fragile  at  the  top;  for  a  cornicione  surmounts  the  whole  whose  width  and  device  are  so  cunningly  calculated  that  it 
preserves  the  equilibrium,  satisfies  the  severity,  and  does  not  detract  from  the  elegance. 

The  ideas  which  meet  to  form  this  superstructure  are  drawn  from  Florence,  Venice,  and  Pavia  ;  but  they  are  so  uniquely  commingled 
that  the  work  might  almost  be  called  entirely  original.  There  is  no  palace  in  Italy  which  presents  a  similar  facade.  The  real  merging 
from  the  astylar  to  the  arcaded,  which  is  accomplished  by  placing  the  second-story  windows  in  the  same  recess  with  the  third-story  ones 
and  covering  them  with  the  same  hood-moulding,  is  a  fine  piece  of  designing.  The  lesser  depth  of  these  recesses  in  comparison  with  those 
of  the  basement,   and  the  panelling  under  the  third-story  windows,   are  the  gradual  steps  from  heaviness  to  lightness.     The  use  of  the 


0 


broad  hood-moulding  to  cover  the  windows  of  two  stories,  forming  a  series  of  arches  which  stride  imposingly  along  from  one  great  columnar 
recess  to  another,  is  the  principal  feature  of  the  facade,  giving  it  that  amiable  dignity  and  that  smiling  serenity.  However,  this  is  nothing 
new,  even  in  respect  to  the  double-story  idea.  The  hood-moulding  covering  two  round-headed  windows  separated  by  a  column  or  pier,  was 
ne  of  the  earliest  developments  of  the  Renaissance.  We  find  it  at  Florence  in  Michelozzo's  Palazzo  Riccardi,  and  Alberti's  Palazzo  Rucellai. 
it  became  in  the  hands  of  the  Cinquecentists  one  of  their  most  effective  instruments  for  obtaining  a  pleasant  strength. 

But  the  idea  of  surmounting  a  course  of  such  double-light  windows  and  hood-mouldings  with  a  light  arcade  is  very  rare.  It  is  the 
execution  of  this  idea  that  has  made  the  Monroe  County  Court  House  what  it  is ;  the  arcade  has  given  it  its  grace,  its  lightness,  its  culminat- 
ing beauty.  And  this  idea  has  come  from  its  principal  exponent,  the  Certosa  di  Pavia.  In  the  western  facade  of  the  Certosa  di  Pavia — that 
marvelous  Carthusian  monastery  which  under  the  genius  of  Burgognone  became  the  supreme  creation  of  the  Cinquecentists — we  find  the 
same  broad  hood-moulding  covering  two  r<;iund-headed  windows  separated  by  a  column,  the  panelling  immediately  under  the  windows  in 
the  same  recess,  the  disc  ornamentation  in  the  lunette,  and  the  light,  surmounting  arcade  of  small  arches  and  half-columns.  The  special 
effect  there  is  as  delightful  as  it  is  in  the  Court  House.  But  they  are  only  incidents  there,  in  a  vast  facade,  undermined  by  fragile 
composition  and  delicate  adornment,  and  have  not  the  strong  foundation  which  the  Court  House  gives  to  enhance  their  general  effect.  The 
details  differ  somewhat  in  the  two  compositions  ;  but  the  idea  is  identical.  The  Rochester  architect  showed  his  genius  in  seizing  a  thought 
executed  but  in  fragment  and  applying  it  with  such  success  on  a  broad  scale. 

It  is  the  balconies,  together  with  the  versified  arrangement  of  the  windows  in  the  center  of  the  facade,  which  give  the  Court  House 
its  play,  its  relapse  from  the  rigidity  of  its  basement  and  the  tiresomeness  of  an  oft-recurring  design.  It  is  a  very  happy  idea,  this  grouping 
of  the  central  windows  in  one  recess,  leaving  on  each  side  a  single-window  recess  to  taper  contrastingly  away.  But  for  this  the  facade 
would  be  nearly  as  immobile  and  staring  as  a  whitewashed  wall. 

In  the  entablature  of  the  Court  House  the  designer  was  confronted  with  an  unusual  and  most  difficult  problem,  as  before  mentioned. 
A  cornicione  had  to  be  provided  heavy  enough  for  the  height  of  the  building,  with  projection  enough  to  complement  its  sternness  of  tone 
and  give  play  of  light  and  shadow  to  the  white  level  facade,  and  yet  delicate  enough  to  avoid  crushing  the  sense  of  elegance  which  matures 
in  the  arcade.  The  architect  has  had  wonderful  success.  By  a  light  Doric  frieze,  a  simple  ball-and-block  moulding,  and  a  bare  corona 
without  modillions  upon  which  is  entailed  most  all  of  the  projection,  his  object  has  been  attained.  That  is  indeed  genius.  It  is  unavoidable 
that  to  the  observer  glancing  from  rich  arcade  to  severe  frieze  there  comes  a  slight  feeling  of  chilly  disappointment ;  this  special  sense  had 
to  be  allowed,  for  the  whole  effect.  It  is  unavoidable  that  to  the  observer  viewing  from  the  middle  distance  the  cornice  should  appear 
slightlv  inadequate  to  the  building's  preeminent  strength  and  assertion  ;  this  defect  had  to  be  endured  for  the  sake  of  the  sense  of  grace 
which  will  capture  that  observer  the  instant  he  approaches. 


The  beauty  of  the  Court  House  is  very  lavish.  Not  a  dozen  important  palaces  in  Italy  ha\e  the  design  and  material  of  their  facades 
carried  around  upon  all  four  sides;  every  face  of  this  palace  is  just  as  perfect  as  the  main  one.  The  very  size  of  the  huge  granite  blocks 
is  generous,  and  contributes  mightilv  to  the  general  effect;  there  is  imperialism  in  the  very  careful  selection  and  cutting  of  these  blocks. 
And  with  all,  the  Court  House  is  so  pure.  There  is  not  the  slightest  putting-forward  of  a  facade  as  a  facade;  there  is  not  the  slightest 
covering  up  of  inequalities,  stufifmg  of  deficiencies,  falsity  or  pretense.     The  interior  is  what  the  exterior  announces  it  to  be. 

The  Monroe  County  Court  House,  as  far  as  its  e.xterior  is  concerned,  at  least,  can  be  said  to  strike  the  keynote  of  American 
architecture  of  the  future.  Recalling  to  us  vividly  the  spirit  of  Bramante,  Michelozzo,  and  Burgognone,  it  stands  to-day,  in  this  new  world, 
surpassed  in  purit\'  of  lines  by  few  of  the  palaces  of  Ital 


Iv. 


The  Interior 


N  the  interior  of  the  Court  House  the  designer  was  confronted  with  greater  difficulties  than  in  the  exterior.  To  build  a  civic  structure 
in  our  modern  fashion  of  steel  frame  intermixed  with  masonry,  that  will  entirely  fulfill  its  purpose,  without  regard  to  st_\-le  or 
beauty,  is  not  troublesome.  To  build  such  a  structure  in  one  un\-arying  style  is  quite  troublesome.  But  to  build  such  a  structure 
in  a  style  of  the  middle  ages  that  arose  from  crowded  space  and  disturbed  civilization,  is  exceedingly  troublesome.  The  stern 
necessity  existed,  however,  that  the  interior  of  this  building  should  conform  to  the  exterior.  With  an  Italian  Renaissance  facade 
wc  must  have  Italian  Renaissance  halls.  The  idea  must  be  carried  out  in  space,  in  arrangement,  in  finish.  This  was  the  task  devolved 
upon  the  architect,  if  he  would  not  render  the  exterior  an  empty  shell  of  beauty.  In  its  entirety,  this  task  was  impossible.  The  architect 
did  not  have  at  his  disposal  space  enough  to  provide  those  dimensions  for  apartments  which  the  Renaissance  demands.  He  had  to  house  in 
this  building  as  many  human  beings  as  would  occupy  a  dozen  palaces  in  Florence  or  Bologna.  Halls,  courts,  and  chambers  had  to  be 
cramped,  and  no  room  could  be  allowed  even  to  extend  through  two  stories  in  height. 

With  all  this  serious  disadvantage,  the  architect  has  produced  a  wonderful  work.  He  has  succeeded  in  completely  disguising  the 
imn  frame-work  of  the  building;  and  he  has  atoned  for  smallness  of  dimension  and  comparati\e  lowness  of  ceiling  by  a  profusion  of  fine 
detail,  which  is  neither  too  elaborate,  nor  too  abundant.  The  classic  idea  has  been  quite  thoroughl>'  carried  out;  there  is  seldom  a 
defection  or  a  discordant  note. 


of 


And  he  has  given  us  one  masterpiece.     For  the  first  time  in  America  a  many-arcaded  Italian  courtyard,  tiiough  roofed,  is  produced, 
Italian  elements.     In  the  center  of  the  Court  House  lies  a  marvelous  cortile  thirty-four  feet  square,  arcaded  on  four  sides,  and  opening 

clear  to  the  roof,  nearly  one  hundred  feet  above.     This  is  the  supreme  note  of  the  building;  and  it  will 
always  be  a  pride  to  American  architecture. 

As  one  passes  between  the  great  pillars  of  the  main  entrance  to  the  Court  House  he  finds  himself 
instantly  in  a  charmed  land — the  land  of  Sangallo,  Sansovino,  and  Sammicheli.  He  stands  in  a  wide 
vestibule  which  is  resplendent  with  fine  marbles,  and  overhung  by  a  beautiful  coffered  ceiling.  A  wide 
stairway  with  golden  arms  leads  the  eye  imposingly  through  a  sweep  of  five  golden  arches  at  its  top,  and 
directs  it  to  the  mighty  columns  and  entablature  of  the  cortile  glittering  far  away,  through  the  darker 
entrance  hall,  in  the  sun-light.  One  finds  himself,  not  only  in  Italy,  but  specifically  in  Genoa.  A  Gen- 
oese tone  is  at  once  visible  in  this  vestibule,  which  is  followed  throughout  the  building.  In  that  fair  city, 
"La  Superba,"  whose  white  bosom  rises  steeply  from  the  crescent  bay  upon  encircling  hills,  the  palace- 
builders  of  the  Renaissance  found  special  conditions,  and  adapted  rules  to  fit  them.  The  streets  were 
narrow  and  the  limited  ground  sloped ;  effect  could  not  be  obtained  in  the  beauty  of  the  facade,  since  it 
could  not  be  seen ;  and  space  could  not  be  spared  for  an  imposing  court.  So  the  builders  enlarged  and 
beautified  the  \estibule  and  the  staircase,  which  had  been  hitherto  neglected. 

The  Court  House,  like  a  Genoese  palace,  lies  on  a  side  hill,  and  is  confined  to  certain  limits.  And  the 
grand  entrance  staircase  sweeps  up  from  a  spacious  vestibule  to  the  courtyard  on  the  main  fioor.  The  vestibule 
itself  is  most  worthy  of  attention.  It  is  truly  of  Genoa.  It  reminds  one  forcibly  of  the  entrance  hall  to  the  Palazzo 
dell'  Universita  upon  that  famous  street  of  palaces  which  tops  the  bay.  There  the  stairway  leads  up  from  the 
spacious  vestibule  to  a  court-yard  of  larger  dimensions  than  that  of  the  Court  House ;  but  the  view  as  seen  from 
the  entrance  through  the  arcades  of  the  cortile  is  quite  similar. 

In  the  Court  House  the  three  great  entrance  arches  lie  behind,  letting  in  a  flood  of  sunshine;  the  smaller 
arcade  of  five  arches  in  front  gleams  vellow  of  Siena  marble,  with  doors  of  Cuban  mahogany  —  which  very  fine 
wood  is  used  for  finishing  throughout  the  building.  The  walls  upon  the  right  and  left  are  panelled  to  the  height  of 
twenty  feet  with  Siena  marble  and  Pavonasso.     The  Siena  as  wainscoting  extends  to  a  height  of  eight  feet. 

Above  that  Pavonasso  is  panelled  within  Pavonasso,  and  in  the  center  of  each  wall  is  a  bronze  plate  with 
IN  THE  VESTIBULE.  inscriptious  having  reference  to  the  ground  on  which  the  Court  House  stands,  and  to  the  erection  of  the  present 


building.  The  staircase  leads  up  ten  steps  of  Tennessee  marble,  with  solid  railini;s  of  Siena,  in  the  center 
of  this  vestibule.  The  arcade  of  five  arches,  at  its  top,  is  tilled  with  three  pairs  of  swinging  doors  in  the 
center,  and  a  window  at  each  end.  Right  and  left  of  the  stairway  lead  down  other  stairways  to  the  base- 
ment, the  side  walls  of  which  are  panelled  in  Siena,  and  the  lintels  above  upheld  by  tine  Siena  consoles. 
This  feature  is  not  strictly  Italian,  but  it  d(ies  not  detract  from  the  general  effect. 

Next  to  the  cortile,  the  coffering  ma\-  be  considered  the  finest  point  of  the  Court  House.  The 
design  in  this  vestibule,  like  all  the  others,  is  not  only  pure  Italian  Renaissance,  but  is  that  in  its  latest 
and  richest  development,  as  it  is  found,  again,  in  the  palaces  of  Genoa.  It  is  highly  relieved  and  of  a  soft 
cream  color.     A  long  panel  with  curved  ends  occupies  its  center,  enclosing  a  rich  rosette. 

The  huge  lamps  which  stand  upon  the  railings  of  the  stairway  are  to  be  carefully  noticed.  They 
stand  seven  feet  high,  upon  large  pedestals,  and  are  taken  from  the  common  form  of  Renaissance  candelabra 
in  the  churches  of  Italy.  They  do  not  reach  the  rococoism  or  richness  of  many  of  the  later  period,  but 
are  exceedingly  graceful  and  delicately  adorned  with  relief  work.  The  electric  light  fixtures  upon  the  side 
walls  are  also  to  be  noticed.  They  are  taken  from  a  \ery  fine  and  oft-recurring  design  for  lamps  in  the 
hallways  and  by  the  entrance-doors  of  sixteenth-century  palaces;  and  as  here  used  are  in  admirable 
harmony  with  the  architecture. 

Passing  through  the  arcade  into  the  hallway,  we  stand  before  entering  the  court  between  the 
handsome  doorways  of  the  Monroe  County  Clerk's  office  on  the  right,  and  the  Monroe  County  Treasurer's 
office  on  the  left.  Before  us  are  the  elevator  shafts  encased  in  iron-work  of  very  fine  design,  and  the 
staircases  of  the  court  curved  out  to  right  and  left.  The  ceiling  of  this  hall  is  nearly  as  fine  as  that  of  the 
vestibule.  Its  main  effect  is  a  large  central  circle  with  a  delicate  rosette,  surrounded  by  relief-work  of 
flowery  design,  and  its  color,  like  that  of  the  vestibule,  is  of  cream.  The  design  of  the  doorways  at  each 
side  leading  into  the  offices  is  of  the  purest  Renaissance,  and  is  very  happily  maintained  throughout  the 
building.  The  idea  is  Vignola's,  and  is  used  by  him  in  the  Palazzo  della  Cancellaria  at  Rome,  and 
elsewhere.  Long,  and  rather  thin  consoles  support  a  simple  cornice ;  and  the  sole  decoration  beneath  is  a 
moulding  of  dentils. 

A  very  great  task  has  been  accomplished  in  harmonizing  the  design  of  the  iron-work,  which  is  here 
so  evident,  with  the  classic  tone  of  the  architecture.     Neither  too  flowing,  nor  too  severe,  it  produces  a  rich 


ELECTRIC   LAMP  m   VESTIBULE. 


U.   S.   MAIL  CHUTE  AND  BOX   IN   MAIN  CORRIDOR. 


and  dignified  effect.  But  now,  before  entering  tlie  rooms  on  the  side- 
of  the  hall,  let  us  advance  at  once  to  the  supreme  part  of  the  building, 
the  courtyard. 

As  a  stranger  passes  between  the  iron  stairways  curving  to 
right  and  left,  and  stands  for  the  first  time  in  the  court,  he  is  over- 
whelmed with  sensations  of  beauty  and  grandeur.  Arcades  tower 
over  him  on  all  sides,  tier  upon  tier,  soaring  to  a  great  cream-colored 
dome  far  above,  with  the  blue  sky  in  its  center.  Joined  to  the  rhythm 
of  the  curving  arches  is  an  all-pervading  lightness  and  happiness  of 
color,  not  glaring,  but  soft  and  glamorous.  This  sweetness  of  tone 
seems  to  lift  higher  the  impending  arcades,  yet  prevents  any  crush- 
ing sensation  from  descending  upon  the  spectator.  Withall,  there  is 
much  power  in  the  boldness  of  the  large  columns  above,  and  the 
sweeping  lines  of  their  huge  connecting  arches. 

The  fact  that  the  court  is  not  open,  but  covered  with  a  skylight, 
does  not  seem  to  detract  at  all  from  the  sensations  it  inspires,  or  to 
give  it  any  air  of  unreality.  One  remains  transfixed  at  the  beautiful 
embellishment  of  the  dome  beneath  the  skylight,  at  the  extraordinary 
heiglit  at  which  (considering  one's  impression  of  the  exterior)  it 
seems  to  be  suspended,  at  the  delicate  grace  of  the  double  arcade  of 
the  fourth  story,  which  tapers  off,  as  it  were,  from  the  heavier  work 
below,  and  at  the  absolute  harmony  of  lines  of  the  whole  structure. 
In  addition  to  the  grace,  one  is  possessed  with  a  sense  of  great 
richness  of  material  and  design.  The  Siena  marble  on  the  ground 
floor,  and  the  blue-veined  Pavonasso  columns  above,  gleam  precious 
to  the  eye;  the  cream-colored  plaster  cornices  and  relief-work,  and 
the  panelled  ceilings  of  the  successive  promenades,  shower  down 
their  splendid  lines  in  a  profusion  of  elegance. 


To  the  spectator  thus  gazing  upward,  this  court  may  at  first  seem  quite  large.  It  is  not  so,  either  in  respect  to  the  size  of  the 
building,  or  with  regard  to  the  courtyards  of  the  Italian  Renaissance  which  till  the  cities  of  Italy.  But  it  is  large,  considering  all  the 
accommodations  the  architect  was  obliged  to  provide,  which  left  him  so  little  space  at  his  disposal.  The  wonder  is,  that,  after  laying  off 
wide  promenades  on  four  sides  of  the  court,  it  was  left  not  much  smaller  than  it  is. 

But  if  not  broad,  it  is  thoroughly  Italian.  If  not  a  corti/e  like  that  of  the  Farnese,  the  Cancellaria,  or  the  Palace  of  the  Doges,  it 
is  certainly  a  cortile  like  many  of  those  that  are  found  upon  the  steep  hills  of  Siena,  Perugia,  and  Genoa.  Here  again  we  strike  this 
Genoese  tone  in  the  Court  House.  The  comparatively  small  breadth,  the  unusual  height,  the  wealth  of  material,  and  the  elaboration  of 
detail,  all  remind  one  of  the  school  of  Galeazzo  Alessi.  But  when  one  looks  at  the  skylight  and  indulges  in  the  feeling  that  this  is  really 
more  of  a  hall  than  a  courtyard,   he  is  also  reminded  of  the  Italian  courts    as  first  introduced   into    England,  and  roofed    over,    by  Sir 

Charles  Barry. 

Such  a  decidedly  interior  court  as  this  is  usualK'  more  of  a  iiiey{0  tenniiic  between  the  facade  and  the  rooms  than  the  numerous  great 
cortili  of  Rome,  and  Lombardy,  which  lie  open  at  one  side.  Still  the  architect  may  incline  at  pleasure  either  to  the  lines  of  the  facade  or 
the  details  of  the  apartments.  The  English  who  followed  upon  the  work  of  Sir  Charles  Barry,  in  pursuance  of  this  rule,  soon  merged  their 
roofed  Italian  courts  into  mere  lofty  halls  with  no  outdoor  suggestion.  These  English-Italian  halls,  the  only  real  precedent  for  our  roofed 
cortile,  the  architect  of  the  Court  House  has  not  seen  fit  to  follow.  He  has  done  far,  far  better  in  going  directl\-  hack  to  the  pure  Italian 
outdoor  courtyard,  in  disregard  of  the  e.xistence  of  the  skylight. 

This  cortile  is  unusually  lofty  for  a  palace  of  the  Italian  Renaissance  ;  there  are  many  cortili  of  four  stories  in  height,  but  hardl>-  a 
one  where  those  four  stories  are  all  arcaded.  The  usual  practice  was  to  top  two  ordonnances  of  arcades  with  a  flat  wall  and  small  windows, 
as  in  the  Cancellaria  at  Rome.  The  latter  is  considered  by  many  the  most  beautiful  cortile  of  the  Renaissance  ;  but  it  is  very  fortunate  that 
its  design  was  not  followed  in  the  Court  House,  on  account  of  our  courtyard's  small  extent.  Its  idea  of  lightness  in  columns  and  arches  is 
adhered  to  in  our  topmost  arcade.  There,  in  addition  to  the  slight  grace  of  the  arcade,  is  the  solid  parapet  running  from,  pedestal  to 
pedestal,  which  Bramante  so  steadfastly  used,  not  only  in  the  Cancellaria,  but  also  in  the  Cortile  of  San  Domaso  at  the  Vatican.  And  it  is 
the  latter  courtyard,  by  the  way,  that,  to  one  gazing  down  from  its  Loggia  of  Raphael,  gives  the  same  sensation  of  interior  arcaded  height 
that  is  found  in  the  Court  House. 

The  lack  of  arches  in  the  first  story  of  the  cortile  may  at  first  appear  to  some  incongruous.  But  it  is  good  Renaissance.  This  use  of 
heavy  columns  and  pilasters  to  uphold  an  entablature  on  the  ground  tloor  of  a  court,  is  found  in  many  Italian  palaces.  Its  effect  in  the 
Court  House  is  quite  similar  to  that  in  the  Palazzo  Massimi  at  Rome,  by  Peruzzi,  save  that  in  the  latter  there  is  no  arcade  above. 

As  soon  as  we  look  more  particularly  at  the  first  arcade,  we  notice  as  peculiar  the  great  width  of  the  arches,  the  bold  heaviness  of 


THE    CORTILE    FROM    THE    SECOND    FLOOR. 


the  columns,  and  the  want  of  pedestals  tor  tlie  latter.  The  columns  are  appropriately  smaller  than  those  of  the  first  story  ;  in  this  they 
obey  the  first  law  of  superimposed  ordonnances  ;  but  they  still  appear  somewhat  lar<ie,  and  rest  only  upon  small  plinths.  This  disposition 
was  forced  upon  the  architect.  The  columns  of  the  first  story  had  to  be  so  placed  as  to  admit  of  the  clear  passaj^e  through  the  building  ; 
the  columns  of  the  second  story  had  to  be  placed  directly  above  them  ;  and  the  wide  arches  thus  necessitated  demanded  large  supports.  To 
make  these  large  supports  of  a  suitable  length,  the  use  of  pedestals  had  to  be  foregone.  All  eminent  authorities  from  Scamczzi  to  Chambers 
ha\-e  agreed  that  in  the  superior  stories  of  Italian  arcades  there  is  no  avoidance  of  pedestals.  Yet  our  cortile  has  some  admirable  precedents ; 
in  the  second  order  of  his  Barbarano  Palace  at  V'icenza,  Palladio  placed  the  columns  on  plinths. 

A  felicity  is  achie\ed  in  the  springing  of  the  arches.  Here  the  arcades  do  not  follow  the  Genoese  custom  of  placing  a  large  block  of 
entablature  over  the  capitals  of  the  columns  ;  but  they  bespeak  the  early  Florentine  method  of  springing  directly  from  the  abacus.  In  this 
instance  it  is  well  that  the  trend  of  Genoese  ideas  was  not  followed  ;  the  abacus,  alone,  gives  grace  and  averts  extravagance. 

The  great  arches  of  the  second  and  third  stories  are  so  wide  that  they  appear  to  the  observer  below  somewhat  tlattened.  This  is  but 
a  trick  of  the  eyesight,  effected  by  the  angle,  and  is  discovered  upon  ascending  to  their  le\els.  It  might  have  been  obviated  by  decorating 
the  soffites  of  the  arches  ;  but  that  would  ha\'e  negatived  the  simplicit\'  which  is  their  main  charm.  The  casual  observer  will  perhaps  not 
notice  this  peculiarity,  but  he  will  notice  the  handsome,  cream-colored,  panelled  ceilings  upon  each  promenade,  and  the  admirable  symmetry 
which  has  been  attained  by  carefully  placing  the  columns  of  all  the  stories  in  a  vertical  line. 

If  the  spectator  changes  his  point  of  observation  to  the  southern  side  of  the  court  the  peculiarity  most  noticeable  of  all  to  him  will  be 
the  stairs.  Both  in  material  and  design  they  are  out  of  place  in  this  sixteenth  centur\-  Italian  tortile.  These  winding  iron  frames,  resting 
upon  single  iron  columns,  light,  narrow,  doubling  back  upon  themselves  in  cramped  space,  will  at  first  seem  to  e\eryone  to  have  no  reason 
for  their  incongruous  existence.  But  the  most  forcible  reason  exists,  that  of  necessity.  A  first  condition  in  the  construction  of  the  Court 
House  was  that  it  should  have  a  clear  hallway  from  front  to  rear,  to  be  an  easy  passage  from  the  street  to  the  Cit\'  Hall  behind.  We  have 
noticed  how  the  architect  was  obliged  to  place  his  columns  upon  the  ground  floor  of  the  court  to  make  this  clear  passage.  The  same 
necessity  prevented  the  erection  of  any  grand  marble  strairvvay  in  the  court.  Doorways  had  to  open  in  the  side  walls,  and  could  not  be 
crossed  or  darkened  by  stairs  ;  and  a  stone  stairway  could  not  be  arched  o\er  the  passage,  because  under  such  limitations  the  pitch  would 
be  too  steep. 

A  light  iron  construction,  occupying  little  space,  was  therefore  necessary.  And  a  tine  piece  of  designing  was  accomplished  in 
harmonizing  its  form  and  details  with  the  surrounding  marble. 

The  architectural  orders  of  the  four  stories  of  the  courtyard  ascend  in  accordance  with  custom.  The  ground  ordonnance  is  Doric  ; 
then  follow  Ionic,  Corinthian,  and  Composite.     The  great  Siena  columns  of  the  ground  floor  are  Doric,  and  the  entablature  which  they 


THE   STAIRWAYS. 


support  is  rightly  simple.  There  is  no  cornice,  and  a  large  fret,  cut  in  Siena,  running  immediately  below  the  top  moulding,  is  the  only 
ornament.  This  runs  along  the  side  walls  also — which  are  solidly  panelled  in  Pavonasso— and  is  there  upheld  by  tour  Siena  pilasters  on 
each  hand.  These  pilasters,  like  the  columns,  rest  only  on  plinths  ;  those  under  the  second  story  promenade  are  one-half  relieved,  which 
gives  some  appearance  of  support  to  it ;  those  in  the  open  are  but  a  quarter  relieved.  The  door  cornices  are  fmelv  cut  in  Siena,  of  Vignola's 
design.     The  tiling  is  of  Carrara  squares  in  lines  of  light  Tennessee. 

The  Ionic  order  of  the  second  story  is  carried  out  by  plaster  capitals  to  the  Pavonasso  columns  ;  but  thev  are  happily  designed  in  the 
Italian  method  of  volutes,  parallel  to  the  entablature,  and  not  the  Greek  idea  of  volutes,  at  an  angle.  The  clustered  pillars  at  the  corners 
are  well  adapted  to  carry  the  arcade  easily  around.  Simple  but  good  medallions  ornament  the  otherwise  bare  spandrils  of  the  plaster 
arches.  The  ionic  order  fails  only  in  the  capitals  of  the  corner  pillars,  where  close-lying  acanthus  leaves  are  used.  A  small,  simple  cornice 
tops  this  ordonnance  ;  its  adornment  consists  of  dentils,  an  egg-moulding,  and  a  line  of  little  rosettes  upon  the  soffite  of  the  corona. 

The  ordonnance  of  the  third  story  is  similar  to  the  second,  save  in  the  capitals  of  pure  Corinthian.     Arches  and  cornice  are  identical. 

The  Composite  order  is  indicated  in  the  smaller  arcade  of  the  fourth  story  by  capitals  which  have  grooves  in  their  swelling  vases 
instead  of  acanthus  leaves,  bead-work  immediately  above,  and  volutes  at  an  angle.  In  a  line  with  the  columns  of  the  stories  below,  large 
pilasters  run  from  the  parapet  to  a  moulding  at  the  base  of  the  entablature.  These  are  very  handsome,  of  plaster,  edged  with  slabs  of 
Carrara  set  upon  the  sides  of  the  pier,  and  having  acanthus-leaved  capitals  with  \olLitcs.  Their  faces  are  ornamented  with  a  handsome 
relief-pattern.  The  parapet,  which  is  invisible  from  the  ground,  is  of  Carrara,  panelled,  has  a  height  of  about  two-and-a-half  feet,  and  is 
surmounted  by  a  brass  railing,  eight  inches  in  height.  At  the  pilasters  and  columns  it  projects  sufficiently  to  give  the  effect  of  pedestals. 
The  columns,  half-way  between  the  pilastered  piers,  rest,  immediately,  upon  plinths  on  the  parapet ;  they  are  of  well-chosen  Pavonasso, 
and  are  the  only  solid  columns  in  the  cortile.  The  plaster  arches  spring  from  the  piers  by  means  of  pilasters,  smaller  than  those  above 
mentioned,  which  project,  half-relieved,  from  the  Carrara  slabs  upon  the  sides  of  the  piers,  and  face  the  intermediate  columns.  In  the 
corners  disposition  is  made  of  the  large  pilasters  by  bending  them  vertically,  at  right  angles,  and  having  the  volutes  project,  parallel, 
towards  the  center  of  the  court. 

The  cornice  of  this  story  forms  the  cornicione  of  the  court.  Its  frieze  is  plain.  There  is  an  egg-and-dart  moulding,  and  rich 
modillions  uphold  the  heavy  corona.  Yet  the  projection  is  none  too  great.  The  dome,  so-called,  directly  above,  is  appropriately  rich  in 
relief-work,  it  is  pierced  by  three  ventilating  spaces  on  each  side,  which  are  engirt  with  wreaths.  Festoons  of  fruit  depend  below  each, 
and  from  one  to  the  other,  running  behind  rococo  shields  with  bare  escutcheons.  Over  these  shields,  and  between  the  \-entilators,  are  fme 
lions'  heads  with  open  mouths.  The  grilles  of  the  ventilators  are  well  designed  ;  before  their  open  centers  are  attached  incandescent  lights, 
which  illuminate  the  ccjurt  at  niuht  with  a  fairy  glow. 


^  %  ^  ^-  %  % 


M^ 


COUNTY    CLERK'S    OFFICE. 


In  considering  the  artistic  worth  of  this  court's  general  design  and  detail,  we  must  not  forget  the  difficulties  of  adapting  modern  iro 
framework  to  classic  masonic  building.  All  the  columns,  save  the  small  ones  in  the  topmost  arcade,  have  iron  posts  in  their  centers.  Thes 
posts  were  carefully  located  in  the  framing  to  give  the  equal  arches.  The  walls  of  the  promenades  give  no  sign  of  ironwork,  nor  does  tti 
dome.  Only  in  the  joints  of  the  ground  floor  Siena  columns,  and  the  plaster  material  of  the  upper  capitals  and  arches,  does  one  notice  th; 
the  masonic  structure  is  but  simulated. 

The  best  points  of  this  cortile  are  undoubtedly  the  simple  strength  of  the  lower  arcades,  the  light  grace  of  the  topmost  one,  and  th 
proportions  of  the  cornices.     But  considering  that  this  is  such  an  advent  in  American  life,  one  should  not  try  to  dissect  its  qualities.     Let 
stand  as  it  is,  the  second  Italian  courtyard  in  our  civic  building,  and  the  first  genuinely  rich  one  in  our  country.     Its  sole  civic  precedent  i 
the  Boston  Public  Librar\',  is  much  larger ;  but  that  is  arcaded  only  upon  the  ground  story,  and  is  not  comparable  to  this  cortik,  either  i 
general  design  or  detail. 

Entering  from  the  court  into  the  County  Clerk's  room  upon  the  right,  one  is  struck  with  an  entirely  different  sensation.  Its  va; 
extent  is  surprising.  Reaching  from  end  to  end  of  the  building,  lighted  by  many  windows,  and  with  a  ceiling,  which  appears  low,  uphel 
by  numerous  columns, — its  effect,  at  first,  is  rather  confusing.  This  is  mostly  due  to  the  comparative  lowness  of  the  ceiling.  Here  th 
architect  was  obliged  to  strike  the  first  serious  false  note  in  his  classic  composition.  The  ideas  of  the  Renaissance  demand  emphaticall 
sympathetic  grandeur  of  dimension.  This  was  not  only  enforced  in  exteriors,  but  also  in  interiors.  The  halls  and  chambers  of  th 
Renaissance  derive  their  chief  effect  from  height  of  ceiling,  which  is  of  itself  imposing,  without  regard  to  the  heavy  classic  treatmen 
accorded  it.  Paladdio  said  that  a  room  ought  always  to  be  as  high  as  it  is  broad  in  the  first  story,  and  in  the  second  story  one-sixth  les 
high.  But  it  can  be  seen,  at  once,  that  the  use  of  such  dimensions  was  out  of  question  in  the  Court  House.  The  architect  has  endeavore 
to  create  the  effect  of  height  in  this  comparatively  low  ceiling,  by  his  use  of  columns,  coffering  but  slightly  relieved,  and  light  coloring.  Th 
design  of  the  coffering  is  good  from  its  simplicity.  The  panels  are  square,  each  with  an  egg-and-dart  moulding,  and  rosette.  The  soff'ite 
of  the  smaller  beams  are  adorned  with  bead-work.  The  large  beams  are  relieved  with  a  rich  guilloche  of  classic,  flowery  design,  which  i 
used  in  this  connection  in  many  places.  The  general  tone  of  the  ceiling  is  pink,  and  is  quite  agreeable.  Here,  as  elsewhere,  great  care  ha 
been  taken  in  the  Carrara  square  tiling ;  every  stone  with  the  slightest  imperfection  was  rejected,  and  the  result  rewards  the  care. 

A  large  counter  of  Tennessee  marble  e.xtends  for  many  feet  upon  the  east  side  of  the  County  Clerk's  room,  from  the  first  door  int 
the  ante-hall,  beyond  the  door  into  the  court,  turning  to  the  wall  at  each  end.  This  Tennessee,  in  its  light  and  dark  shades,  is  use 
throughout  the  Court  House  in  the  finish  of  rooms.  Here  it  forms  also  the  wainscoting.  The  plaster  walls  above  the  wainscoting  are  plai 
and  are  colored  the  same  pink  as  the  columns. 

The  County  Clerk's  room,  of  necessitv,  contains  an  enormous  number  of  books  and  papers  on  record.     The  book-cases  are  place 


ANOTHER    VIEW   OF    COUNTY    CLERK'S    OFFICE. 


in  the  center  of  the  room,  running;  parallel  to  each  other,  and 
at  right  angles  to  the  side  of  the  room,  so  that  the  light  from  the 
side  windows  streams  in  between  them  and  makes  it  easy  to 
read  in  every  corner.  Two  small  stairways  at  the  west  side 
of  the  room  lead  to  the  basement,  where  other  records  are 
stored.    The  ironwork  of  their  railings  is  designed  in  classic  idea. 

The  County  Treasurer's  room,  on  the  opposite  side  of 
the  ante-hall,  is  much  smaller  than  the  Clerk's  room.  One  is 
struck  at  once,  upon  entering  it,  with  the  bright  hue  of  its  ceil- 
ing, which  is  supported  by  several  columns  of  the  same  pink 
coloring  as  in  the  Clerk's  office.  The  room  is  brightly  lighted 
and  well  divided.  Upon  the  left  are  private  offices  for  the 
County  Treasurer  and  his  assistants,  separated  from  the  main 
office  by  iron  partitions,  with  Tennessee  marble  panels  below 
and  glass  above.  A  large  Tennessee  counter  e.xtends  length- 
wise before  the  door.  The  wainscoting  and  window-frames 
are  also  of  Tennessee.  The  tiling  of  this  room  is  Carrara,  and 
the  light  fixtures  and  ventilators  in  the  walls  are  of  well- 
designed  ironwork.  We  must  remark  again  upon  the  sympathy 
which  all  this  ironwork-  shows  to  the  Renaissance  idea  in  the 
architecture. 

Just  beyond  the  two  huge  Doric  colunuis  on  the  south 
side  of  the  ground  floor  of  the  court,  the  court  merges  into 
another  hallway,  which  leads  directly  to  the  back  entrance. 
Under  the  promenade  of  the  second  story  the  doors  here  open 
off  into  the  Surrogate's  Court  room,  and  its  ante-room,  upon 
the  left ;  and  a  door  upon  the  right  opens  into  a  small  closet. 
The  Grand  Army  room  lies  upon  the  east  side  of  the  court.     It 


LIBER   DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  COUNTY  CLERK'S  OFFICE. 


COUNTY    TREASURER'S    OFFICE. 


contains  a  finely-coffered  ceiling,  which  is  most  worthy  of 
inspection. 

In  the  Surrogate's  Court  we  come  upon  the  first  court 
room  of  the  building.  It  lies  in  the  southeast  corner  of  the 
ground  tloor,  of  large  dimensions,  with  windows  upon  the  south 
side  and  an  interior  wall  upon  the  east,  through  which  doorways 
enter  to  the  private  office  of  the  Surrogate,  and  his  clerk's  office. 
At  the  left,  as  one  enters  from  the  cortile,  is  a  doorway  into  the 
ante-room,  which  also  opens  into  the  court.  This  ante-room  is 
separated  by  a  partition  from  the  Surrogate  Clerk's  office  ;  the 
partition  is  of  the  same  novel  design  as  that  in  the  Count\- 
Treasurer's  office,  with  marble  slabs  below  and  a  classic  iron 
framework. 

in  the  court-room  the  bench  at  once  strikes  the  attention. 
Severe,  strong,  pure,  and  symmetrical,  of  Tennessee  marble, 
it  is  admirable  Renaissance.  Its  counter  is  of  Tennessee,  with 
mahogany  top.  It  is  formed  behind  of  two  central  columns  and 
two  pilasters  on  the  side,  which  uphold  a  simple  entablature.  The 
columns  and  pilasters  are  of  the  Ionic  order  as  used  by  the  Italians. 
The  panels  between  the  columns  are  plain.  Before  the  bench  i^ 
the  Clerk's  desk,  also  raised,  but  not  so  high  from  the  tloor. 

The  court-room  is,  like  the  other  rooms,  wainscoted  and 
window-framed  with  Tennessee,  and  the  tiling  is  Carrara.  Tin 
ceiling  is  striking,  both  in  colors  and  design  ;  large  octagonal 
panels  enclose  highly-elevated  foundations  for  rosettes.  The 
colors  are  blue  and  a  greyish  pink. 

The  Surrogate's  private  office,  immediately  behind  the 
court,  is  partitioned  off  from  the  Clerk's  office,  with  mahogany. 


VAULT    IN    COUNTY    TREASURER'S   OFFICE. 


THE    ROTUNDA,    LOOKING    NORTH. 


and  finished  in  the  same  wood.  The  Surrogate  Clerk's  office  is  smaller  than  the  court-rodin,  and  well  tilled  with  books  and  ree<irds.  The 
pillars  in  this  section  of  the  ground  floor  are  all  incorporated  into  walls,  save  one  in  the  middle  of  the  Clerk''s  office,  which,  from  its  central 
position,  is  not  incongruous.  The  ceiling  in  this  office  is  very  good.  It  is  smaller  in  panelling,  as  is  suitable  for  a  smaller  room.  The 
lines  are  more  angular  and  rectangular,  and  the  colors  more  subdued  ;  light  green  and  light  brown  are  happily  commin'^lc-d. 

The  back  hallway,  running  from  the  quasi-promenade  from 
which  the  Surrogate  Court  opens  off,  is  fifteen  feet  in  width  and 
forty  in  length.  It  is  panelled  to  the  top  with  Pavonasso,  and  the 
ceiling  is  bare.  One  passes  tlirough  two  sets  of  swinging  doors  to 
enter  the  yard  between  the  Court  House  and  the  City  Hall  behind. 

Ascending  the  cur\-ing  iron  stairways  of  the  coiiilc,  with  their 
Carrara  treads,  we  stand  in  the  promenade  of  the  second  stor\' 
arcade.  Standing  between  the  heads  of  the  stairs,  we  have  a  some- 
what different  view  of  the  court  than  from  the  ground  below.  We 
see  more  clearly  the  top  arcade  above  and  the  details  of  the  dome, 
and  view  the  ensemble  in  a  prettier  light.  On  the  opposite  side  of 
this  promenade,  two  doors  open  off  in  each  corner,  and  in  the  center 
a  small  passage  leads  to  the  south,  the  lintei  of  whose  entrance  is 
upheld  by  handsome  plaster  consoles.  Most  noticeable  is  the  fine 
color  and  richness  of  the  Pavonasso  in  the  columns  of  this  arcade 
and  the  doorways  of  the  promenade.  One  curious  contrast  at  once 
strikes  the  attention,  that  of  the  Carrara  and  Pavonasso  marbles 
in  the  wainscoting  of  this  promenade  ;  the  latter  marble  being  so 
much  darker  than  the  Carrara  that  it  contrasts  severely.  This,  it 
may  be  said,  was  not  a  mistake  of  judgment  upon  the  part  of  the 
architect,  but  a  mistake  in  the  color  of  the  Pa\-onasso  sent  for  the 
Court  House  from  Ital\'.  A  light  shade  was  ordered,  and  this  darker  graining  was  all  that  could  be  obtained.  But  contrast  as  the  wainscot- 
ing is,  it  possesses  a  certain  degree  of  striking  beauty  which  makes  atonement.  In  the  plaster  walls  of  the  promenade,  above  the 
wainscoting,  are  placed  here  and  there  square  closed  windows  with  Pavonasso  frames,  whose  richness  contributes  to  the  genuine  luxury 


SUPREME    COURT    BOOM. 


DOORWAY  OF  ATTORNEYS'  CORRIDOR. 


of  the  view.  The  ceiling  of  the  promenade  is  of  white  ground,  with 
simple  brown  piaster  panels  slightly  relieved.  But  from  its  simplicitv 
and  grace  it  agrees  well  with  the  arcades.  Back  of  the  observer,  on 
the  north  side  of  the  promenade,  rises  a  cylindrical  open  shaft  clear 
to  tlie  roof,  in  which  are  the  stairways  to  the  upper  stories.  These 
ascend  to  the  right  and  left,  clinging  to  the  curved  wall,  and  meet  in 
the  center  at  a  landing  half  way  ;  thence  they  rise  in  one  flight  direct 
to  the  third  story.  The  iron  framework  of  this  well-executed  stair- 
case carries,  as  usual,  Carrara  treads.  Beneath  the  half-way  land- 
ing of  the  staircase,  two  doors  open  into  private  chambers  of  Supreme 
Court  judges.  These  are  rather  large,  and  are  wainscoted  in  mahog- 
any, with  fu'e  places  of  that  wood,  and  plain  white  piaster  ceilings 
with  yellow  cornices.  The  windows,  framed  in  mahogany,  open 
upon  the  balcony  over  the  main  entrance.  Next  to  the  outer  wall 
of  these  chambers,  doors  open  upon  passages  to  the  benches  in  the 
adjoining  court-rooms. 

We  enter  a  trial-room  of  the  Supreme  Court  in  the  northwest 
corner  of  this  floor.  It  is  a  very  fine  room,  of  good  size,  with  a 
comparatively  high  ceiling,  and  an  imposing  bench  ;  it  has  a  full 
judicial  tone  and  Renaissance  purity.  The  bench  stands  upon  the 
north  side,  separated  by  a  handsome  iron  balustrade  from  the  rest  of 
the  court.  Upon  its  left  are  the  seats  for  the  jury,  and  between  the 
jury  seats  and  the  bench  is  the  witness  seat,  which  is  separated  from 
the  examining  attorney  by  a  brass  bar.  The  Clerk's  desk  is  at  the 
right  of  the  bench,  and  is  also  ruled  off  from  the  public. 

An  important  point  in  the  arrangement  of  this  court-room  is 
the  separation  of  the  public  from  the  members  of  the  bar.  The 
public,  entering  by  the  main  door  from  the  promenade,  are  seated 


upon  the  right-hand  side  of  the  room.  The  attorneys  enter  through  the  tine  Tennessee-framed  doorway  directly  opposite  the  bench,  and 
have  all  the  western  part  of  the  court-room  to  themselves.  This  doorway  is  an  admirable  piece  of  work,  coming  from  the  latter  Italian 
Renaissance,  where  it  begins  to  merge,  in  the  school  of  Palladio,  into  those  forms  which  the  English 
took.  Hence  it  resembles  somewhat  the  form  of  our  colonial  doorways,  which  are  English  Renais- 
sance. It  opens  into  a  corridor  —  which  may  well  be  called  the  "Attorneys'  Corridor" — runnin- 
from  the  trial-room  of  the  Supreme  Court  in  the  northwest  corner  to  the  other  trial-room  of  the 
Supreme  Court  in  the  southwest.  The  whole  arrangement  of  the  court-rooms  upon  this  floor  is 
as  perfect  as  anything  to  be  found  in  the  country,  and  may  here  be  noticed. 

With  a  court-room  in  each  corner  of  the  building,  the  intervening  spaces  are  filled  upon  the 
north  side  and  the  south  side  with  judges'  private  chambers ;  and  upon  the  east  side  and  the  west 
side  with  these  attorneys'  corroidors  and  adjoining  rooms.  The  judges  are  thus  enabled  to  enter 
from  their  private  chambers  to  the  bench  without  encountering  the  public ;  and  the  attorneys  and 
court-attendants  are  enabled,  by  proceeding  first  to  their  coat-rooms  and  the  waiting-rooms  adjoin- 
ing their  private  corridors,  to  enter  the  court-rooms  without  encountering  the  public.  In  the 
attorneys'  corridor  on  the  west  side  there  are  four  rooms  on  the  outside  and  three  upon  the 
interior.    These  are  devoted  to  coat-rooms,  closets,  and  smoking-rooms  for  the  attorneys. 

The  disposition  of  window  light  has  been  exceedingly  well  managed  also,  in  all  of  these 
court-rooms.  In  the  northwestern  trial-room,  neither  the  judge,  nor  the  jury,  nor  the  witness,  i^ 
forced  to  face  the  light.  The  attorneys  conducting  the  trial  will,  unavoidably,  face  a  little  light 
from  the  windows  upon  the  north  side,  but  will  receive  their  reading  light  from  the  windows  upon 
the  west  side.  In  all  these  four  court-rooms  an  exceedingly  beautiful  coffering  has  been  used  upon 
the  ceiling.  The  design  is  the  same  in  each  room,  but  the  coloring  different.  It  is  a  design  of  the 
richest  Italian  Renaissance,  yet  not  at  all  debased.  In  the  northwest  trial  room  the  ceiling  is 
separated  by  heavy  beams  into  four  parallel  compartments,  each  containing  three  large  panels 
octagonal  or  round.  These  panels  are  delicately  enriched  and  contain  the  usual  rosette.  Here 
the  coloring  is  in  several  shades  of  green  and  cream.     The  usual  use  of  Tennessee  is  made  in  the 

■  •  J  ■       J  ,      ■,  r  ■  T-,  ,  ,       ■  ,  .        .,  „  PISA   CATHEDRAL    LAMP. 

wamscotmg  and  wmdow  and  door-frammg.    The  bench  is  exactly  similar  to  the  Surrogate  s  bench 

upon  the  ground  floor.     All  of  the  benches  in  the  Court  House  are  of  similar  design,  and  of  this  same  Tennessee  marble.     In  the  center 


RECORDING   OFFICE   OF   THE    SURROGATE'S    COURT. 


of"  this  trial-room  hangs  a  great  iron  chandelier  of  imposing  grace.  Next  to  the  entrance-lamps  in  the  vestibule,  it  is  the  finest  iron-work  in 
the  building.  Its  use  throughout  all  the  court-rooms  does  not  render  it  at  all  less  beautiful.  It  is  taken  from  that  great  bronze  lamp  which 
swings  unceasingly  to  and  fro  in  the  nave  of  the  grand  Cathedral  of  Pisa  — that  lamp,  undoubtedly  the  most  famous  in  the  world,  which 
first  suggested  the  principle  of  the  pendulum.  The  original  is  a  wonderful  piece  of  Renaissance  work  in  proportion  and  sculptural  detail. 
In  this  later  day  counterpart,  double-bellied  balusters  supersede  in  the  frame-work  of  the  vase  the  half-figures  of  the  original.  The 
architect  cannot  be  too  highly  praised  for  disregarding  that  clamor,  proceeding  from  ignorance,  which  cries  down  all  imitation  of  master- 
pieces, and  enriching  the  Court  House  with  a  thing  of  so  much  beauty. 

The  trial  court-room  in  the  southwest  corner  of  this  floor  is  quite  the  same  as  the  one  just  described,  only  larger  in  breadth.  Here 
again  the  bench  is  opposite  the  entrance  from  the  promenade.  The  public  sit  upon  the  left,  the  talesmen  and  jury  are  placed  upon  the 
right,  and  the  attoj-neys  entering  from  their  corridor  through  a  doorway  similar  to  that  in  the  former  court-room,  occupy  the  central  space. 
The  same  excellent  disposition  is  made  of  the  window  light,  so  that  no  one,  save  the  spectators,  has  to  face  it  directly.  Here  are  hung 
two  of  the  great  Pisa  lamps. 

The  court-rooms  upon  the  east  side  of  this  floor  are  those  of  the  County  Court.  They  are  similar  in  arrangement  and  detail  to 
those  of  the  Supreme  Court.  In  the  southeast  room  the  bench  is  on  the  east  side,  the  jury-stand  on  the  south  side;  and  the  Judge's 
chamber  here  adjoins  upon  the  north,  being  situated  in  the  attorneys'  corridor.  These  provisions  give  the  same  excellent  effect  to  the  eye 
and  the  same  disposition  of  window  light. 

In  the  County  Court  in  the  northeast  corner  the  bench  is  placed  as  in  the  Supreme  Court  room,  in  the  northwest  corner.  We 
notice  in  these  County  Court  rooms  the  same  finish  of  Tennessee  marble,  and  the  same  beautiful  ceiling. 

There  are  two  objects  still  unmentioned  upon  this  floor  which  attract  much  attention.  They  are  two  huge,  round  stones  imbedded 
in  the  wall  of  the  western  promenade  —  the  millstones  of  the  first  flour  mill  in  the  village  of  Rochester.  They  were  placed  there  by  the 
Historical  Society  to  make  sure  of  their  preser\ation  for  all  time. 

In  the  third  story  the  view  from  the  promenade  is  not,  horizontally,  so  rich  as  that  upon  the  second ;  for  there  are  not  so  many 
doorways  opening  off  from  the  promenade  with  rich  Pavonasso  frames.  Here,  however,  we  have  our  first  clear  view  of  the  parapet  in  the 
top  arcade;  and  its  beauty  of  material  and  design  is  more  fully  evident.  On  this  floor  there  are  but  three  court-rooms  — two  for  special 
terms  of  the  Supreme  Court  and  one  for  the  Appellate  Division.  Nearly  all  the  space  upon  the  south  side  is  occupied  by  the  Supreme 
Court  Law  Library.  The  Supreme  Court  special  term  rooms  are  situated  next  to  each  other  in  the  northwestern  corner.  On  entering 
one  of  them  we  see  at  once  that  the  rich  coftering  of  ceiling  maintained  upon  the  first  two  stories,  is  here  discontinued;  and  the  effect  is  to 
make  the  court-rooms  much  simpler.     These  court-rooms  are  not  as  large  as  those  below;  but  they  are  as  large  as  their  purposes  require. 


LAW  LIBRARY. 


They  are  each  about  thirty  feet  by  forty  feet  in  extent,  with  windows  only  in  the'v\-est 
wall.  There  is  no  jury-box,  or  witness-stand,  or  judges'  passage  to  occupy  space,  and 
the  bench  stands  forth  alone  in  each  case  from  the  northern  wail,  ruled  off  from  the 
attorneys  by  the  same  handsome  double-bellied  balustrade  used  below.  The  Ten- 
nessee finish  is  still  here  used.  The  ceilings  are  divided  by  beams  into  three  parallel 
compartments,  all  of  plain  white  plaster  with  but  a  foliated  shell  in  relief  at  each  end. 
There  are  no  cornices ;  and  their  space  is  occupied  by  fair-sized  mouldings.  A  judges' 
prixate  chamber  intervenes  upon  the  south  of  these  Special  Term  rooms  between 
them  and  the  Library. 

The  Library  is  next  in  size  to  the  County  Clerk's  room,  and  extends  nearly  the 
whole  width  of  the  building.  From  this  extent  and  the  strength  given  by  the  heavy 
beams  of  its  ceiling,  it  is  imposing;  but  it  has  no  hint  of  ornamental  detail.  The  ceiling 
is  of  plain  white,  adopted  to  reflect  the  light  from  the  windows  between  the  great  book- 
cases, which  stretch  across  the  room  in  lines  radiating  from  the  librarian's  desk  upon 
the  south  side. 

The  court-room  of  the  Appellate  Division  in  the  northeast  corner  is  not  as  large 
as  the  dignity  of  the  court,  yet  extensive  enough  for  its  purposes.  It  is  in  the  same 
style  as  that  of  the  other  court-rooms,  save  that  the  bench  has  five  divisions  instead  of 
four.  It  is  upon  the  east  side,  and  the  judges'  private  passage  approaches  it  from  their 
chambers  upon  the  south.  Here  we  have  once  more  the  ornate-coffered  ceiling;  and 
this  is,  undoubtedly,  the  finest  ceiling  in  the  building.  A  soft  commingling  of  pink  aiul 
white  tones  enhances  the  luxuriant  design  of  its  double  rosettes  and  surrounding 
relief-work. 

The  private  apartments  of  the  Appellate  Division  judges  stretch  from  the  court- 
room to  the  southern  wall  of  the  building.  Here  is  provided  a  large  consultation  room, 
fi\e  private  chambers,  and  a  large  waiting-room,  all  handsomely  finished  in  mahogany 
wainscoting  and  chimney-pieces. 

In  the  promenade  of  the  fourth  story,  one  finds  himself  in  the  most  enchanting 


THE    PARAPET. 


THE  PARAPET  OF  THE  CORTILE. 


part  of  the  cortilc.  The  use  of  parapet,  and  pedestal,  and  light  arches  brings  out  a  happy  grace  which  differs  much  from  the  simple  power 
of  the  arcades  below.  This  arcade  is  very  cleverly  designed.  The  masking  of  the  iron  columns,  necessitating  large  piers  in  the  arcade, 
is  well  done  by  the  expedient  of  the  pilasters  reaching  from  parapet  to  frieze,  with  smaller  pilasters  on  each  side,  from  wihch  the  arches 
spring.     Here,  also,  the  beauty  of  the  rich  design  in  the  dome  is  brought  nearer,  and  most  appreciated. 

The  cylindrical  shaft  of  the  stairway  is  topped  upon  this  floor  with  an  o\al  skylight  of  stained  glass  pattern ;  and  a  handsome 
Pompeiian  frieze  surmounts  the  staircase  wall.  This  floor  is  used  for  the  Supervisor's  chambers,  the  offices  of  the  District  Attorney,  and 
of  the  Sheriff,  the  rooms  of  the  grand  jury,  and  other  private  offices.  The  District  Attorney's  suite  is  in  the  northwest  corner,  consisting 
of  private  chambers  for  himself,  his  two  assistants  and  stenographer,  and  a  general  chamber;  some  are  handsomely  finished  in  mahogany, 
and  one  in  Tennessee  marble.  The  grand-jury  rooms  are  in  the  northwest  corner.  Leading  to  the  principal  room  is  an  entrance  hall  from 
the  promenade;  adjoining  this  hall  upon  the  right  are  the  rooms  for  the  male  and  female  witnesses,  and  for  private  e.xamination. 

The  Supervisors'  room  occupies  nearly  all  the  south  side  of  this  floor.  A  bench  of  Tennessee  marble,  similar  to  the  others,  stands 
on  the  east  end  for  the  presiding  officer.  The  public  are  ruled  off  on  the  western  end  of  the  room  by  a  balustrade.  The  one  point  of 
difference  here  from  the  other  rooms  of  the  building  is  in  the  ceiling.  It  is  a  coffering  of  cream-color  with  large  panels  of  manv  sides, 
liaving  rich  rosettes  upon  a  white  ground.     Si.\  of  the  fine  Pisa  lamps  complement  the  Renaissance  effect. 

Back  of  the  Supervisors'  room,  on  the  east,  are  two  smaller  chambers  for  the  use  of  committees,  and  a  coat-room  —  all  finished  in 
Tennessee.  Next  on  the  north  is  a  chamber  for  the  Supervisors'  clerk.  Beyond  that,  and  occupying  the  northeast  corner  of  this  floor  are 
the  Sheriff's  offices,  and  other  private  offices  of  fairly  large  size,  with  the  same  finish  of  mahogany  or  Tennessee  that  is  everywhere  used. 

A  tour  of  the  Court  House  is  not  complete  without  a  visit  to  the  basement.  This  is  entered  by  the  stairways  descending  right  and 
left  of  the  grand  stairway  in  the  vestibule.  It  is  divided  into  the  basement  proper,  and  the  sub-basement.  On  the  upper  of  these  two 
floors,  in  the  northeast  corner,  lies  the  office  of  the  School  Commissioner  of  Monroe  County,  handsomely  finished  and  well  lighted  by  the 
basement  windows  of  the  facade.  Beside  it  is  a  comfortable  apartment  for  the  superintendent  of  the  building,  who  is  thus  made  most  easy 
of  access  to  strangers.  In  the  northwest  corner  of  the  basement  is  the  office  of  the  Superintendent  of  the  Poor,  in  Tennessee  finish.  The 
entire  central  portion  of  the  basement,  back  of  the  offices  just  mentioned,  and  reaching  from  side  to  side  of  the  building,  is  devoted  to 
storing  the  records  of  the  Monroe  County  Clerk's  office. 

In  the  sub-basement  lie  the  boilers,  furnaces,  and  engines  which  heat  the  Court  House  and  propel  its  elevators.  From  that  center 
of  energy  a  complicated  system  both  of  steam-piping  and  hot-air  flues  extends  its  ramifications  to  the  remotest  corner.  The  curious  visitor 
may  view  with  interest  the  enormous  furnaces  and  the  rapid  workings  of  the  engines.  The  Court  House  is  thoroughly  well  heated  and 
\entilated.     This  is  but  one  more  honor  to  the  successful  architect  and  the  county  officials  who  allowed  him  to  work  untrammeled,  that  his 


BOARD  OF  SUPERVISORS'   CHAMBER. 


IN    THE    OFFICE    OF   THE   SUPERVISORS'    CLERK. 


beautiful  Italian  palace  should  not  only  contain  pro\-isions  for   artificial  heating,  which   Italian   palaces   never   before  saw,   and   without 
disturbing  the  :?sthetic  effect  —  but  that  those  provisions  also  should  be  entirely  satisfactory.  Edgerton  R.  Williams,  Jr. 

After  the  eye  has  feasted  itself  upon  the  beauty  of  the  interior  furnishings  and  decorations  of  the  New  Court  House,  a  little 
attention  might  well  be  paid  to  the  utility  of  the  handsome,  maroon-colored  cases  which  form  so  large  a  part  of  its  furniture,  and 
charm  one  into  forgetfulness  that  they  are  there  for  any  purpose  save  that  of  ornament.  This  work  is  mainly  to  be  seen  in  the 
rooms  of  the  County  Clerk,  Treasurer,  Surrogate,  District  Attorney,  Clerk  of  Supervisors,  and  Appellate  Court. 

These  cases  are  in  perfect  accord  with  the  tire-proof  construction  of  the  building,  being  made  of  steel,  which  is  afterwards  finished 
in  japan,  baked  at  a  very  high  temperature.  The  panel-mouldings  and  pilasters  are  made  of  brass,  finished  in  oxydized  copper,  and  there 
is  not  a  particle  of  inflammable  material  used  anywhere  in  this  work. 

Some  of  these  immense  cases  contain  document-files,  in  which  are  placed  the  deeds,  mortgages,  and  other  papers  forming  part  of  the 
priceless  records  of  Monroe  County,  and  here  kept  free  from  dust,  ready  for  instant  reference,  and  in  absolute  security,  for  entire  sections 
of  these  files  can  be  locked  simultaneously  with  one  key. 

Other  cases  contain  roller-shelves,  on  which  the  heavy  record-books  are  kept.  Each  shelf  is  supplied  with  a  series  of  rollers,  by 
means  of  which  the  heaviest  book  can  be  handled  with  the  greatest  ease.  These  cases  are  arranged  with  projecting  ledges,  covered  with 
mahogany,  on  which  books  can  be  examined,  and  between  the  cases  are  counters  fitted  with  roller-shelves  and  ha\-ing  sloping  desk-tops  for 
this  purpose. 

Again,  you  will  see  cases,  or  parts  of  cases,  containing  storage-shelving  for  the  care  of  books  and  papers  not  in  general  use.  These 
are  covered  with  sliding-doors  of  bevelled  glass.  Even  the  counters,  which  seem  meant  only  for  the  transaction  of  the  general  routine 
business,  are  fitted  on  the  inside  with  cupboards,  large  storage-drawers,  pigeon-holes,  etc.,  convenient  for  the  many  uses  to  which  such 
receptacles  can  be  put  in  a  public  office.  Here  and  there  are  seen  graceful  steel  tables,  whose  delicacy  of  appearance,  while  in  absolute 
harmony  with  the  general  finish  and  decorative  design,  forms  a  pleasing  contrast  to  the  heavy,  substantial  character  of  the  other  work. 

In  the  Law  Library  the  shelves  are  arranged  in  stacks  seven  feet  high,  which  are  placed  in  rows,  stacks  alternating,  and  all 
converging  to  one  point,  at  which  the  Librarian's  desk  is  situated,  so  that  from  there  every  individual  stack  can  be  seen.  This  shelving  is 
also  made  of  steel,  with  shelves  so  simple  and  perfect  of  adjustment  that  they  can  be  raised  or  lowered  even  when  filled  with  books. 

While  metallic  furniture  is  not  so  rare  a  sight  in  court-houses,  as  it  was  a  few  years  ago,  it  is  seldom  that  one  sees  so  perfect 
and  complete  a  piece  of  work  as  that  in  the  Rochester  building,  which  possesses  additional  interest  from  the  fact  that  it  is  a  product 
of  Rochester  industr\'. 


Embedded  in  the  wall  on  either  side  of  the  .m-and  entrance  to  the  new  Court  House  are  handsome  bronze  tablets  upon  which,  in 
raised  letters,  are  the  following  inscriptions : 


MONROE    COUNTY    COURT    HOUSE 

1804  - 1896 

COCNTV    OF    MONROE    CREATED     FEBRUARY     23,     182I 


THIS    SITE     DONATED    TO    THE    COl'NTV     BV 
NATHANIEL     ROCHESTER 

CHARLES     CAKKOLL 

WILLIAM     FITZHLGH 

FIKSf    COl  RT    HOUSE     UCILT     1821 

REPLACED     BV    COURT     HOISE    AND     CITV     HALL     1830 

THIS    BlILDING    ERECTED     PURSIANT    TO     A      RESOLUTION      OF 

THE    BOARD     OF    SUPERVISORS    ADOPTED     MARCH     24,     1893 

CORNER    STONE    LAID    JULY    4,     1894 
BUILDING     COMPLETED      MAY,       1896 


MONROE    COUNTY   COURT    HOUSE 

1894-  i8g6 

CONSTRUCTED     UNDER    THE    SUPERVISION     OF    THIS 
BUILDING    COMMITTEE 

WILLIAM     W.    ARMSTRONG 


ALBERT    P.     BEEBE 

HENRY 

OBERLIES                                                    1 

EDWARD 

ENGLEHARDT 

LYMAN 

M.     OTIS 

WILLIAM 

N.     GALLUP 

LUTHER 

A.     PRATT                                                 , 

GEORGE 

\.     GOSS 

CHAUNCEV    G.    STARKWEATHER,    JR.         | 

LYMAN     M. 

OTIS 

CHAIRMAN 

WILLIAM    W 

.    ARMSTRONG 

SECRETARY 

J- 

FOSTER    WARNER 

ARCHITECT 

A 

FRIEDERICH 

&    SONS 

BUILDERS 

Tile  Building  Committee,  whose  portraits  appear  on  the  following  pages,  will  share  with  the  architect  and  builders  the  praise  and 
thanks  of  this  generation  and  of  the  generations  to  come  because  of  the  important  part  they  had  in  the  construction  of  the  magnificent 
new  Court  House  of  Monroe  County.  They  have  acted  throughout  with  unswerx-ing  integrity,  and  with  intelligence,  courage,  and 
patience. 

The  compiler  of  this  book  extends  grateful  acknowledgment  to  the  Building  Committee,  who  kindly  granted  him  their  official 
sanction  to  prepare  the  work,  to  Mr.  J.  Foster  Warner,  the  architect,  and  to  Messrs.  A.  Friederich  &  Sons  for  their  assistance. 

Thanks  are  also  due  the  contractors,  whose  names  appear  in  the  director\',  for  their  advertisements,  and  to  local  merchants,  who 
had  imthing  to  do  with  the  construction  or  equipment  of  the  Court  House,  but  who  lent  their  support  toward  making  the  book  successful. 


BUILDING  COMMITTEE  OF 
THE  NEW  COURT  HOUSE  .* 


GEORCE    A.    GOSS. 


« 


L.    A.     PRATT. 


LYMAN    M.    OTIS, 
CHAIRMAN. 


CHAUNCEY    G.    STARKWEATHER,    JR. 


A.    P.    BEEBE. 


EDWARD    ENGLEHARDT. 


N.    GALLUP. 


W.     ARMSTRONG, 
SECRETARY. 


C.     F.    GOTTSCHALK 


FLOOR  PLANS  OF  THE 
NEW  COURT  HOUSE  .* 


-1  ^  1  onnn  ^ 


FIRST 


SECOND 


THIRD 


FOURTH 


4 


^         INDIVIDUALS,  FIRMS,  AND  CORPORATIONS  EMPLOYED  IN  THE  ^ 

<«*         CONSTRUCTION  AND  EQUIPMENT  OF  THE  NEW  COURT  HOUSE.         '^ 

ARCHITECT, 

J.  FOSTER  WARNER, 

ROCHESTER. 

GENERAL  CONTRACTORS,  STRUCTURAL  IRON  WORK,  MARBLE  WORK,  GRANITE, 

A.  FRIEDERICH  &  SONS,  F.  L.  HEUGHES,  NELL  BROS.  &  KERN.  GRANITE  RAILWAY  CO.. 

ROCHESTER.  ROCHESTER.  ROCHESTER.  BOSTON. 

ORNAMENTAL   IRON  WORK,  SANITAS   PLUMBING  FIXTURES, 

THE  SNEAD  IRON  WORKS  CO.,  SMITH  &  ANTHONY  CO., 

LOUISVILLE.     Ky.  BOSTON. 

PLUMBING  AND  STEAM   HEATING,  ELECTRIC   LIGHT  FIXTURES,  PAPIER   MACHE  AND  ORNAMENTAL  PLASTERING,  PAINTING  AND  FRESCOING, 

HOWE  &  BASSETT.  THE  ARCHER  &  PANCO.AST  CO.,  J.  T.  H.ALL  &  CO.,  HENRY  WALTJEN, 

ROCHESTER.  NEW  YORK.  NEW  YORK.  ROCHESTER. 

ELEVATORS,  INTERIOR  CONDUITS,  ELECTRIC  WIRING, 

THE  GRAVES  ELEVATOR  CO.,  INTERIOR  CONDUIT  AND  INSULATION  CO.,  F.  P.  JONES  &  CO., 

ROCHESTER  NEW    YORK.  BUFFALO. 

CARPETS,  FURNITURE  AND  DRAPERIES, 

SIBLEY.  LINDSAY  &  CURR.  GORTON  &:  MCCABE, 

ROCHESTER.  ROCHESTER. 

ELECTRICAL  CLOCKS  AND  TELEPHONES,  HARDWARE,  STAINED  AND  LEADED  GLASS,  FURNITURE, 

RUDOLPH  SCHMIDT  .S;  CO.,  CHICAGO  HARDWARE  CO.,  L.  S.  CHAPIN,  BROMLEY.  MILLER  l^  MORE, 

ROCHESTER.  CHICAGO.  ROCHESTER.  ROCHESTER, 

REGISTERS  AND  VENTILATORS,  WINDSOR   CEMENT  AND  PLASTER,  PAINTS, 

THE  TUTTLE  &  BAILEY  MFG.  CO.,  J.  B.  KING  &  CO.,  BILLINGS.  KING  &  CO., 

NEW  YORK.  NEW  YORK.  NEW  YORK. 

ELEVATOR   INDICATORS,  SASH    PULLEYS,  DOOR   FIXTURES,  STEAM   BOILERS, 

ELEVATOR  SUPPLY  AND  REPAIR  CO..  NORRIS  SASH  PULLEY  CO.,  BOMMER  BROS.,  BABCOCK  &  WILCOX, 

CHICAGO.  BALTIMORE.  BROOKLYN.  NEW     YORK. 

WAINWRIGHT  HEATER,  MAIL  CHUTE,  OFFICE   FURNITURE, 

TAUNTON  LOCOMOTIVE  WORKS,  CUTLER  MFG.  CO.,  OFFICE  SPECIALTY  MFG.  CO., 

TAUNTON.  MASS.  ROCHESTER.  ROCHESTER. 

STEAM    PUMPS,  WOOD  CARVING,  CEMENT,  ASPHALT  ROOFING  MATERIAL, 

M.  T.  DAVIDSON,  THILLMAN  FABRY,  F,  O.  NORTON  CEMENT  CO.,  WARREN  CHEMICAL  MFG.  CO., 

BROOKLYN.  ROCHESTER.  NEW  YORK.  NEW  YORK. 

QUICKLIME,  PORTLAND  CEMENT,  SIDEWALKS,  SAND, 

R.  G.  NEWMAN,  S.  B.  STUART  &  CO.,  L.  G.  MEYER,  J.  L.  SHEEHAN, 

ROCHESTER.  ROCHESTER.  NEW    YORK.  BRIGHTON.   N.   v. 


BOOK  containing  a  description  of  Monroe  County's  handsome  new  Court  House  v\'ould  not  be  complete  if  reference  was  not 
made  to  the  work  of  the  General  Contractors,  Messrs.  A.  Friederich  &  Sons,  because  of  the  greatness  of  their  undertaking  and 
the  completeness  with  which  they  have  fulfilled  their  labors. 

In  March,  1894,  the  men  employed  by  the  builders  began  the  work  of  razing  the  second  court-house.  The  task  of 
excavating  the  cellar  was  alone  an  enormous  one,  even  larger  than  was  first  anticipated,  the  rock  being  cleared  to  the  depth  of 
eii'htccn  feet,  and  one  hundred  and  sixty  men  being  employed.  In  the  process  of  the  erection  of  the  new  building  Messrs.  A.  Friederich  & 
Sons  have  employed  at  \arious  times  from  seventy-five  to  two  hundred  men.  The  work  of  razing  the  old  and  completing  the  New  Court 
House  consumed  something  over  two  years.  Over  10,000  yards  of  rock  were  excavated,  and  6000  yards  of  earth  were  removed.  There 
were  3,500,000  bricks  used  in  the  building.  The  amount  of  granite  used  in  constructing  the  walls  was  about  7000  tons,  one  piece  alone, 
that  over  the  facade  on  a  line  with  the  second  floor,  weighing  over  fifteen  tons. 

The  firm  of  A.  Friederich  &  Sons  is  one  of  the  oldest  and  best  known  concerns  of  masons  and  contractors  in  the  Empire  State,  and 
is  composed  of  John  J.  L.,  William  M.,  Adam  C,  and  Louis  J.  Friederich.  The  brothers  are  all  practical  men,  having  started  in  their 
early  youth  under  the  apprenticeship  of  their  father,  Adam,  an  old  and  experienced  mason.  The  firm  was  established  in  1870  by  the 
father,  under  the  style  of  A.  Friederich.  When  John  J.  L.,  and  William  M.  Friederich  were  admitted  to  partnership  in  1884  it  was 
changed  to  its  present  name.  In  1892  Louis  J.,  and  Adam  G.,  became  members,  and  the  elder  Mr.  Friederich  retired  to  enjoy  a  rest  he 
had  deservedly  won. 

■  The  amount  of  work  which  has  been  done  by  this  firm,  and  the  confidence  which  must  as  a  consequence  be  reposed  in  them  by 
reason  of  the  magnitude  of  such  work  may  be  partly  learned  from  an  examination  of  this  list  of  some  of  the  buildings  which  Messrs.  A. 
Friederich  &  Sons  have  erected : 

Monroe  County  Court  House,  American  Brewing  Company's  Building. 

Young  Men's  Christian  Association  Building,  Reynolds  Laborators', 

C.  B.  Woodworth  Buildings,  Eastman  Kodak  Buildings, 
Memorial  Church.  Rochester  Power  Company's  Buildings, 
Hom(epathic  Hospital  Buildings.  Rosenberg  &  Company's  Building, 
Rochester  State  Hospital  Buildings,  Ellwanger  &  Barry  Building, 

D.  M.  Childs  Building.  Cook  Opera  House. 
Triangle  Building,  for  Sibley  estate,  J.  K.  Hunt  Building, 
State  Industrial  School,  Fire  Proof  Chapel,  Riverside  Cemetery, 
Security  Trust  Company's  Building,  Eureka  Club  House, 

St.  Paul's  Church,  M.  Kolb  &  Sons  Building. 


F.  L.  Heughes. 

Iron  Contractor, 


DEALER  IN    TRQN  FRONTS,  ROLLED  BEAMS,  COLUMNS, 
1  o*  PLATE  GIRDERS,  ROOFS,  LINTELS,  ETC. 

FIRE -PROOF  CONSTRUCTION  A  SPECIALTY. 
Office,  190  S.  St.  Paul  St.,   ROCHESTER,  N.  Y. 


Iron  contractor  for  Powers  Fire-proof  Hotel,  the  Wilder  Bldg.,  the  P.  Cox  BIdg.,  the  Sibley,  Lindsay  &  Curr  BIdgs,  Keeler  cV  Kimball  BIdg.,  new- 
Court  House,  Rochester :  Elmira  Reformatory  Extension,  Elmira.  N.  Y.:  North  Water  St.  Iron  Viaduct,  Rochester :  Brush  Electric  Light  Co.  Plant,  Rochester : 
Rochester  German  Insurance  Co.'s  BIdg.,  of  Rochester:  Johnston  Harvester  Works,  Batavia,  N.  Y.  :  Hygienic  Institute,  Dansville,  N.  Y.:  Powers  Block 
Addition.  Rochester:  Court  House  and  Library,  Syracuse,  N.  Y.:  Bartholomay  Brewing  Co.  Ice  Houses,  Rochester:  Monroe  County  Jail.  Rochester:  Cook 
Opera  House,  Rochester,  and  hundreds  of  other  well-known  buildings. 


A  STOCK  OF  CARNEGIE  STEEL  CO.'S  BEAMS  ALWAYS  ON  HAND. 


Nell  Bros.  &  Kern, 


MONUMENTAL  WORKS  ^ 


TILING,  WOOD  MANTELS, 
AND  FIRE  PLACES  -m  .^  ^  ^ 


238  State  Street,  ROCHESTER,  N.  Y. 


CONTRACTORS  FOR  THE  MARBLE  WORK  IN 
THE  MONROE  COUNTY  COURT  HOUSE,  jt  ^  ^ 


\ 


NH  nf  the  most  striking;  fc-atures  in  this  beiuitiful  building  is  the  treatment  of  the  fixtures  tor  electric 
lighting  —  they  are  in  perfect  harmony  with  the  architectural  details  in  every  respect,  a  rare  thing 
even  in  the  most  important  structures.  Their  pure  classicism  would  have  delighted  the  great  masters 
of  Italian  Renaissance;  in  their  entirety  they  form  a  perfect  composition,  but  to  individualize  to 
some  extent,  the  eye  will  be  caught  especially  by  the  candelabra  and  brackets  in  the  grand  vestibule, 
and  the  chandeliers  and  the  brackets  in  the  large  court  room,  illustrated  in  another  part  of  this  work. 

No  finer  examples  of  what  can  be  achieved  in  metal,  in  which  the  ancients  were  so  perfect,  can  be  found 
in  any  building  in  this  or  any  other  country  ;  they  are  pure  in  style  and  rich  in  detail,  a  glorious  example  of 
Italian  art.  Not  in  Italy  itself  can  be  found  their  superior ;  they  will  endure  as  long  as  the  building  shall  stand 
to  show  the  capabilities  of  America  in  her  power  in  this  branch  of  architecture  and  art  to  equal  anything  the 
world  has  produced. 

They  are  the  product  of  a  house  that  is  famous,  made  so  by  its  high  and  unequaled  standard  i)f  excellence  — 
The  Archer  &  Pancoast  Company  of  New  'I'ork.  In  their  work  in  the  Monroe  County  Court  House  they  ha\-e 
reached  the  zenith,  and  excelled  anything  they  have  ever  heretofore  executed. 

As  showing  the  esteem  in  which  their  skill  is  held,  the  following  list  of  prominent  buildings  containing  their 
handiwork  is  an  evidence  : 

American  Surety  Company  Building, 
St.  Luke's  Hospital, 

Building  for  Presbyterian  Boards  of  Home  and 
Foreign  Missions. 


Constable  Building, 


Lord's  Court  Building, 

Hotel  Waldorf, 

Manhattan  Hotel, 

Hotel  Savoy,  and 

Imperial  Hotel,  of  New  York  city. 


N  ORDER  to  secure  the  highest  sanitary  protection,  the  celebrated  "  Sanitas  "  plumbing  appliances  are 
used  in  the  New  Court  House.  Careful  investigation  by  the  architect  led  to  their  selection  as  being 
the  best  in  principle,  in  protection,  and  in  the  quality  of  materials  used  in  their  construction. 

The   Sanitas    Regal   Closet,    Sanitas   Jet   Urinal,    and   the   Sanitas  Non-syphonic  Trap,    are   used 
throughout  the  building.     They  will  add  to  the  con\enience  and  protection  of  the  occupants  of  the  Court 
House  and  sustain  the  high  reputation  of  the  building  for  e.xcellence  of  equipment. 

The  distinctive  feature  of  the  Sanitas  Closet  is  its  noiselessness,  it  being  the  most  quiet  in  action  of  any 
made.     This  makes  it  specially  desirable  in  public  buildings  where  a  closet  is  almost  constantly  in  use. 

The  bowl  of  the  closet  is  so  made  that  it  does  not  get  soiled,  and  the  patent  refilling   chamber  leaves   a 
maximum  amount  of  water  in  the  bowl  after  each  discharge. 

The  sanitary  seat,  which  does  not  come  in  contact  with  the  woodwork,  at  any  point,  completes  the  sanitary 
protection  afforded  by  this  closet. 

The  Sanitas  traps  used  in  a  building,  do  not  need  venting,  as  they  are  anti-syphonic.     A  sa\'ing  in  the  cost, 
and  an  improvement  in  the  appearance  of  the  plumbing,  are  both  secured  by  the  use  of  this  trap. 

The  Sanitas  Urinal  is  of  the  automatic  jet  pattern,  and  is  found  to  be  the  most  desirable  for  buildings  of  this  character. 
The  installation  of  the  plumbing  is  in  the  hands  of  Messrs.  Howe  &  Bassett,  which  is  a  guarantee  of  its  mechanical  perfection. 
The  Sanitas  specialties  are  used  and  endorsed  by  the  leading  plumbers  of  Rochester  and  other  large  cities,  and  are  in  accord  with 
the  latest  sanitary  knowledge.     They  are  used  where  the  most  exacting  conditions  demand  something  that  is  absolutely  reliable. 

The  Masonic  Temple,  and  over  thirty  of  the  tallest  and  largest  buildings  in  Chicago,  are  equipped  with  these  goods.     They  are 
also  used  in  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  building,  the  Ellwanger  &  Barry  building,  the  new  Granite  building,  and  the  German  insurance 
Company's  building,  in  Rochester,  and  also  in  a  great  number  of  office  buildings  and  institutions  throughout  the  country. 
They  are  manufactured  by 

THE  SANITAS  MANUFACTURING  CO., 

Smith  &  Anthony  Company,  Proprietors, 

Boston  —  New  York  —  Chicago. 


I 


I 


I 

i 


'T'HE  heating  and  ventilating  registers  placed  in    the  Court-house  are  of 

the  above  Florentine  pattern.      They  are  of  iron,  electro-bronzed,  are 

very  finely  finished,   and  were  made  by  the  celebrated  •.'*  v**  ./*  ^^  J*  -^ 

TQTTLE  &  BAILEY  MANUFACTURING  CO., 
of  New  York. 

The  amount  of  their  contract  for  this  work  alone  exceeded  $5000. 


iS^^^i  EADER,  what  would  you  think  of  one,  in  this,  the  nineteenth  century, 
H    ^j.      preferring  to  patronize  the  old-fashioned  stage-coach,  instead  of  the 
palatial   electric  trolley  car  of  the  present  time?      Such  a  person 
would  be  considered  to  be,  to  put  it  mildly,  behind  the  times. 

While  wonderful  ad\'ances  have  been  made  in  all  sciences  and 
manufactures  the  manufacturers  of  Paint  and  Varnish  have  also 
been  advanced  in  their  lines.  There  never  was  a  time  when  so  much  skill  and 
science  was  put  into  the  manufacture  of  Paint  and  Varnish  as  now.  This  intel- 
ligence and  skill  has,  of  course,  increased  the  possibilities  for  tiner  and  better 
Paint  being  made  ready  for  the  brush. 

The  mixing  of  Paint  cold,  by  hand,  is  too  primiti\e  to  be  entertained  for  a 
single  moment  by  any  intelligent  or  progressi\e  architect,  property-owner,  or 
painter. 

The  reputable  Paint  manufacturer  is  enabled  to  put  together  the  best  selected 
material  by  powerful  steam  machinery,  and  make  a  far  better  Paint  (ready  for 
use)  for  all  kinds  of  painting.  In  support  of  this  statement  we  refer  you  to  the 
beautiful  structure,  of  which  this  book  is  a  treatise. 

The  architect,  after  thoroughly  looking  into  the  merits  of  all  kinds  of  Paints, 
selected  the  w^ell-known  brand  of  Pure  Prepared  Paint  (ready  for  use)  made  by 
Billings,  King  &  Co.,  of  New  York,  as  the  grade  of  Paint  best  suited  to 
harmonize  with  the  general  appearance  of  the  whole  structure. 


HE  electrical  equipment  of  a  building  of  this  kind,  is  one  of  its  most  important  features:  after  the 
system  of  lighting  has  been  determined  upon,  with  the  location,  and  number  of  lights,  the  conduit 
and  wiring  must  be  carefully  laid  out  on  the  plans  and  specifications  prepared,  describing  fully  the 
intended  plant. 

The  Court  House  has  a  switch-board  of  polished  marble  in  the  basement,  and  all  the  lights  in 
the  building  are  controlled  first  from  that  point.  Switches  are  also  placed  in  the  various  rooms  and  corridors 
in  cabinets  of  marble,  with  ornamental  metal  doors.  All  wires  are  run  through  iron  conduit,  and  it  is  practicable 
to  withdraw  any  and  all  the  wires  at  any  time,  and  draw  in  new  ones,  without  disturbing  finished  work.  The 
wire  used  is,  like  the  other  material,  among  the  best  the  market  affords  ;  the  whole  system  in  all  details 
being  modern  and  strictly  up-to-date. 

The  installation  of  this  conduit  and  wire,  the  arrangement  of  junction  boxes,  cut-outs,  switches,  etc.,  is 
a  very  particular  job,  and  it  is  highly  important  that  it  be  properly  done,  as,  after  the  building  is  completed, 
this  part  of  the  work  cannot  be  gotten  at  without  great  destruction  of  marble  tiling,  or  other  e.xpensive 
finished  work. 

F.  P.  Jones  &  Co.,  of  Buffalo,  were  the  contractors  for  the  electrical  work  of  this  building,  and  have 
carried  it  through  in  a  thoroughly  satisfactory  manner.  Among  other  large  buildings,  recently  equipped  by 
this  firm,  they  mention  the  D.  S.  Morgan  Building,  the  Mooney-Brisbane  Building,  the  New  Real  Estate 
Exchange  Building,  in  Buffalo,  and  the  Mabley  Building,  in  Detroit,  Mich. 


CEILINCS 


FRIEZES 


C0RNICE5 


sv 


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IN  «g^ 


"WH*!*^ 


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C'-.  ^fp^icA": 


131  W.  IS!?  5T.  NEW  YORK 


THE   ENTIRE   PAPIER   MACHE,  CARTON   PIERRE  AND  ORNAMENTAL   PLASTER  WORK  OF  THE 

NEW  MONROE  COUNTY  COURT  HOUSE  WAS  MODELED.  CAST,   AND  SET 

BY  MESSRS.   JAMES  T.   HALL  &  CO.,  OF  NEW  YORK. 


KING'S  WINDSOR 


Asbestos  Cement  and  Cement  Dry  Mortar, 


I 


Both   for   Plastering  Walls    and   Ceilings, 

The  former  to  be  used  with  sand.     The  latter  (being  already 
mixed  with  sand)   requires  but  the  addition  of  water. 

B.  KING  &  CO., 

2J-24   State   Street,   New  York,  N.  Y. 


SOLE  PATENTEES  AND 
MANUFACTURERS,  ^  Ji 


The  practical  testimony  of  the  great  merits  and  appreciation  of  our  WINDSOR  CEMENT  is,  that  leading  architects  throughout  the  country  have  called  for 
it  on  their  best  and  most  costly  structures,  while  architects  generally  have  specified  it  for  all  kinds  and  grades  of  buildings,  expensive  and  inexpensive,  as  extra 
cost  does  not  debar  its  use  on  even  the  humblest  cottage.     Millions  of  barrels  of  it  have  been  used  within  the  last  three  years. 

We  inipro\-e  this  opportunitv  to  tender  our  thanks  to  all  patrons,  and  to  invite  all  Architects  evervuhere  to  send  for  our  complete  treatise  on  the  subject  of 
"NEEDED  IMPROVEMENT  IN  PLASTER  FOR  WALLS  AND  CEILINGS,"  and  also  for  our  "PRACTICAL  EVIDENCE  OF  SUPERIORITY,"  an 
octavo  pamphlet  of  56  pages,  containing  about  three  thousand  of  the  buildings  on  which  our  material  has  been  used  — the  buildings  being  classified  and  indexed 
as  follows: 


Office,  Insurance,  and  Bank  Buildings. 

Hospitals,  Asylums,  Sanitariums.  Etc. 

Colleges,  Seminaries,  Libraries,  Laboratories,  Etc. 

Public  School  Buildings. 

Churches  and  Rectories. 

Young  Men's  and  Young  Women's  Christian  Association  and  Woman's 

Christian  Temperance  Union  Buildings. 
Masonic  Temples,  Etc. 
Federal,  State,  County,  and  Town  Buildings. 


Theatres,  Opera  Houses,  Halls,  Etc. 

Hotels. 

Apartment  Hotels,  Apartment  Houses,  and  Flats. 

Business  Buildings,  Stores,  Blocks,  Etc. 

Railroad  Depots  and  Stations. 

Mills,  Factories.  Breweries,  Etc. 

Miscellaneous  Buildings. 

Residences. 


The  New  Court  House  of  .^ 
Monroe  County,  New  York. 

After  careful  investigation  it  was  decided  to  adopt  for  the  heating  and  power 
required  in  the  building,  the  well-known  Babcock  &  Wilcox  water-tube  boilers. « 
These  boilers  have  a  world-wide  reputation  for  safety  and  economy,  and  are  in 
use  in  every  country  on  the  globe.     Some  idea  of  the  extent  to  which  these 


..Ty>«i*^ 


boilers  are  used  can  be  gathered  from  the  fact  that  about  1,500,000  horse-power 
are  now  in  actual  service,  representing  an  investment  in  round  figures  of  thirty 
millions  of  dollars. 

There  are  three  boilers  of  100  horse-power  each  in  the  installation.  The 
water  in  these  boilers  is  subdivided  so  that  the  quantity  contained  in  any  one 
section  is  so  small  as  to  render  impossible  a  disruptive  explosion.  The  cut 
shows  the  general  construction  by  which  this  division  of  contents  is  effected. 


Citv  <•!  New 


HE  "  F.  O.  Norton"  cement  used  in  the  Court  House  of  Monroe  County  has  an 
unusual  record  as  being  the  leading  high-class  cement  among  the  various 
brands  adopted  for  building  purposes  throughout  the  country. 

Other  structures  erected  with  it  are  the  Brooklyn  Bridge,  the  engineer  of 
which  says  i  The  "  Norton  '  cement  was  selected  at  a  higher  price  than  others 
on  account  of  superior  quality,  and  the  entire  weight  ot  the  tower  rests  upon 
it."  Beside  this  vast  work,  the  Madison  Square  Garden,  New  York,  is  built 
entirely  with  the  "  F.  O.  Norton"  cement.  The  Equitable  Life  Insurance 
Company's  Building.  New  York  ;  St.  Luke's  Hospital.  New  York,  (new  build- 
ing) and  almost  every  bank  structure  erected  during  the  past  ten  years  in  the 
Voric  are  erected  with  this  famous  cement,  it  having  been  called  for  by  the  archi- 
tects and  often  chosen  by  the  better  class  of  builders  who  secure  work  of  the  foregoing  class. 
It  is  often  asked  why  the  "  Norton  '"  cement  lias  gained  such  notoriety  and  the  answer  is 
the  fact  that  experience  has  proved  it  of  unvarying  uniformity  and  possessing  all  the  re- 
quisites for  the  high  tests  exacted  by  engineers  and  architects.  Only  the  best  selected  rock 
is  used  in  its  manufacture  and  the  .greatest  attention  is  given  to  fender  the  burning  and 
grinding  of  the  clinker  absolutely  uniform. 

In  the  preparation  of  the  foundation  mass  for  the  Bartholdi  Statue  of  Liberty.  General 
Charles  P.  Stone.  C.  E..  who  had  the  matter  in  charge,  gave  the  following  interesting 
results:  "  A  cube  of  *  Norton  '  cement.  12x12x12  inches,  i  part  cement.  !  jiart  sand,  7  part.s 
broken  stone,  yielded  under  pressure  at  the  end  of  six  months'  setting  at  5N  53-100  tons,  at 
the  end  of  twenty-seven  months  at  97  55-100  tons,  at  the  end  of  twenty-eight  months  at 
104  24-100  tons."  When  it  is  considered  that  the  estimated  weight  per  foot  of  the  Brooklyn 
Bridge  towers  is  7  tons,  the  factor  of  safety  attained  by  using  the  "  F.  ().  Norton  "  cement  in 
bridges  and  buildings  is  easily  apparent. 


DESCRIPTION  of  the  New  Court  House  would  perhaps 
be  incomplete  without  reference  to  the  fine  cement  side- 
walks surrounding  the  building.  These  pavements,  as 
well  as  the  tlooring  in  the  basement  floors,  were  laid  by 
Louis  G.  Meyer,  No.  156  Fifth  A\'enue,  New  York  and 
are  noticeable  for  their  neat  and  substantial  finish,  as 
well  as  for  their  durability. 

Mr.  Meyer  is  extensively  engaged  as  a  general  contractor  and  is 
in  every  way  qualified  to  do  every  description  of  cement  work.  Side- 
walks, curbings,  and  driveways  of  Flintolithic,  Asphalt,  and  Artificial 
Stone  demand  his  special  attention. 


«^ 


HE  hardware  used  throughout  the  building  is  most 
admirably  adapted  to  its  double  purpose;  viz.,  to 
give  the  best  service  both  in  convenience  and  dura- 
bility, and  to  beautify  and  complete  by  its  simplicity 
and  its  highU-  artistic  effect,  the  fine  wood-work. 
The  Chicago  Lock  is  deservedly  popular  everywhere,  and 
no  manufacturers  of  builders'  hardware  are  better  equipped  to 
do  satisfactory  work  than  the  Chicago  Hardware  Mfg.  Co., 
either  in  fine  designs  or  in  absolutely  correct  modern  finishes. 
The  cut  on  this  page  shows  the  style  of  hardware  used,  and 
we  predict  that  it  will  prove  a  lasting  pleasure  to  all  observers. 


t^ 


The  Snead  &  Co.  Iron  Works, 


Elevator  Screen  in  wrought  and  ca»t-iron. 
finished  in  electro-bronze,  for  the  Monroe 
County  Court  House.  Rochester,  N,  Y. 

J.  Foster  Warner,  Architect. 


LOUISVILLE,  KY^ 


Makers  of 


Structural  and  Ornamental  Iron  Work 

For  Architectural  Purposes* 


Finest  Castings  in  Iron,  Brass,  Bronze,  and  Aluminum. 
Hand-Forged  and  Hammered  Wrought-Iron  Work,  Etc. 

ELECTRO -PLATING  AND  BOWER  -  BARJTING. 

STRUCTURAL  WORK  IN  CAST-IRON  AND  STEEL. 


EAUTY  and  proportion  are  considered  and  demanded  as  essential  in 
every  construction  of  importance  ;  and  it  is  a  strange  anomaly  to 
see  on  some  of  the  most  elaborately  artistic  entrances,  the  clumsy, 
awkward  fixtures  used  for  closing  the  doors,  marring  and  even 
destrying  the  finest  effects  through  utter  incongruity  with  the  sur- 
roundings. Utility  is  good,  but  utility  combined  with  beauty  is  better. 
It  is  owing  to  the  possession  of  these  qualities,  combined  with  great  durability, 
that  the  Bommer  Spring  Hinge,  manufactured  by  Bommer  Bros.,  551  and  353 
Jay  St..  Brooklyn.  N.  Y..  was  adopted  for  the  new  Court  House,  it  being  gen- 
erally acknowledged  that  no  part  of  a  building  is  subject  to  closer  scrutiny  than 
the  entrance,  where  objectionable  features  are  promptly  discovered  and  con- 
demned.    Special  care  was  taken  in  making  this  selection. 


ELEVATOR  Supply  and  Repair  Co., 

34  and  36  West  Monroe  Street,  CHICAGO,  ILL. 

Manufacturers  of 

Mechanical  Floor  Indicators, 

Armstrong:  Electric  Elevator  Signals, 

Flash-Light  Annunciators, 

Automatic  Door  Mechanisms  for  Passenger  Elevators, 

Elevator  Guide  Lubricators. 


The  most  prominent  buildings  in  the  country  are  equipped  with  our  devices. 
WRITE  FOR  ESTIMATES. 


Davidson    Steam    Pumps  The  Norris  Sash  Pulleys. 


and 


Hydraulic 
riachinery 

For  all  situations. 

M.  T.  DAVIDSON, 

43=53  Keap  Street, 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 


Branches : 


'  133  Libertv  Street.  New  York. 
I  so  Oliver  Street.  Boston. 


Norris  Sash  Pulleys  are  being  specified  by  nearly  all  the  leading  Archi- 
tects of  the  couiitrv.  Whenever  you  see  a  fine  building  rest  assured  that  the 
Norris  Sash  Pulleys  are  in  the  frame. 

We  cheerfully  furnish  .Architects  catalogues,  and  samples  free  of  cost. 

Address, 

The  Norris  Sash  Pulley  Co., 

Baltimore,  Md. 


|UR  work  in  the  Monroe  County  Court  House  is  only  a 
sample  of  the  class  of  work  that  we  are  placing  in 
hundreds  of  Court  Houses,  City  Halls,  and  Banks 
throughout  the  country.  Many  of  the  most  prominent 
public  buildings  are  fitted  up  with  our  Metallic  Furni- 
ture, and  we  can  give  innumerable  references  as  to 
the  satisfaction  which  it  affords  to  those  using  it,  but  why  go  out 
of  Rochester  for  that,  when  the  work  in  the  Court  House  speaks 
for  itself,  and  the  officials  boast  that  they  ha\-e  the  finest  offices  in 
the  United  States. 


OFHCE  SPECIALTY  MFG.  CO., 

601  bOb  Wilder  BIdg.,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 


MAKERS  OF  LABOR-SAVING 

OFFICE  DEVICES  OF  ALL  KINDS. 


(See  illustrations  in  this  book  of  the  County  Clerk's  office,  the 
County  Treasurer's  office,  the  recording  office  in  the  Surrogate's 
Court,  the  Law  Librarj-,  and  the  Super\'isors'  Clerk's  office,  all 
of  which  were  equipped  with  our  office  furniture,  i 


THE   (]ARPETS 


The  Contract  for  furnishing  all  the 
Carpets  for  Monroe  County's  New 
Court  House  was  awarded  to  J*  J* 

Sibley,  Lindsay  &  Curr 


because  they  offered  to  supply  the  best 

ROYAL  WILTONS 

at  the  lowest  price.    ^*  j*  ^  jt  ^  ^ 


BEST  CARPETS 

LOWEST  PRICES 


TWO  THINGS  TO  REMEMBER  ABOUT 
SIBLEY,  LINDSAY  &  CURR'S  WHEN  IT 
COMES  TO  CARPET  BUYING.  ^  ji  jt  Jt 


H  E  roof  of  the  Court  House  is  covered  with  the  asphalt  roofing  materials 
manufactured  by  the  Warren  Chemical  &  Manufacturing  Company, 
Si  and  83  Fulton  Street.  New  York,  N.  Y.  The  Warren  Company 
are  the  pioneers  of  the  asphalt  business,  and  their  Anchor  Brand 
Natural  Asphalt  Roofmg  has  been  in  use  for  the  past  twenty  years 
on  many  of  the  largest  manufacturing  and  railroad  buildings,  as  well 
as  the  fmest  office  and  public  buildings,  throughout  the  United  States  and  Can- 
ada. Among  these  we  would  mention  the  following  :  Allegheny  County  Court- 
house and  Jail,  Pittsburgh,  Pa.  ;  Lucas  County  Court-house,  Toledo,  Ohio  ; 
Home  Savings  Bank  building,  Detroit,  Mich.;  United  Bank  building,  New  York; 
United  League  Club-house,  New  York,  and  many  buildings  belonging  to  the 
New  York  Central  Railroad,  Boston  &  Albany  Railroad,  Pennsylvania  Railroad, 
Wasburn  &  Moen  Manufacturing  Company,  General  Electric  Company,  etc. 
The  Anchor  Brand  Roofing  is  applied  in  very  much  the  same  way  as  the 
ordinary  gravel  roofing,  but  the  materials  are  entirely  different,  being  composed 
of  Trinidad  natural  asphalt,  instead  of  coal  tar,  as  in  the  ordinary  roofing.  The 
oils  in  the  asphalt,  being  non-volatile  at  any  natural  temperature,  remain  in  the 
roofing,  keeping  it  in  its  original  condition  during  an  indefinite  exposure  to  the 
weather,  in  illustration  of  this  fact,  the  Warren  Company  have  samples  of  their 
Anchor  Brand  Asphalt  Felt  and  Cement  that  have  been  in  actual  use  from  fifteen 
to  twenty  years,  and  show  no  signs  of  deterioration,  the  asphalt  felt  being  as 
tough  and  pliable,  and  the  asphalt  cement  as  soft  and  elastic,  as  when  first 
applied. 


The 

Wainwright 

Heater 

Of  whatewr  tvpc  always  contains 

Corrugated  Copper 
Tubes. 

The  Court  Hmise  heater  is  a  special  combination,  and 
the  heater  shown  in  the  above  cut  is  still  another. 

We  would  like  to  tell  you  more  about  both  of  them. 

Taunton  Locomotove  Mfq.  Co., 

TAUNTON,    MASS. 


GORTON  &  HcCABE, 

Furniture, 

Carpets, 

Draperies, 

and  Interior  Decorating, 


«  Rochester,  n.  y. 


All  the  Chairs  and  Draperies 
for  the  Court  House  are  from 
our  establishment. 


R.  Q.   NEWMAN, 

,Tanufacturer  of 

Snow's   Celebrated    White   Quick    Lime, 

Dealer  in  Plaster  Paris,  Cement, 
Plastering  Hair,  Etc. 

Telephone  1181. 


80  Exchange  Street, 


ROCHESTER,  N.  Y. 


The  Wood  Carving  in  the  Court  House 
was  executed  bv 


THILLMAN   FABRY, 

Wood  Carver, 

48  North  Water  Street,  ROCHESTER.  N.  Y. 


-  i:5- 


CH 


L,  S,  CHAPIN, 

90  Exchange  St., 
ROCHESTER,  N.  Y. 

Leaded -Glass  Worker 

Stained  Ecclesiastical  and  Domestic  Glass. 
SPECIAL  DESIGNS. 

I    MADE   AND  SET  ALL  THE  LEADED  GLASS  IN  THIS  BUILDING. 


Henry  Waltjen, 


38  Exchange  Place, 


ROCHESTER,  N.  Y. 


Was  the  Contractor  for 


e^ 


Tinting  - 
Painting 


The  New 
Court  House. 


Electric  Time  Clocks 


and 


Telephones 


Including  latest  up-to-date 
Wiring  in  the 


NEW  COURT  HOUSE 


is  put  up  by 


Rudolph  Schmidt  &  Co,, 

Dealers  in 

Optical,  Mathematical,  Electrical, 
and  Telegraphic  Supplies  ^  c*-  j* 

IT'  -J      Contractors  for  all  kinds  of 

K  =  -  -  I 

%^i  ELECTRIC  WORK. 

5t   East  Main  Street,  opposite  Front  Street. 


&© 


a 


g! 


fO:,|||', 


GRAVES  ELEVATORS 

Latest  Improvements, 
Finest  Construction, 
Most  Economical, 
Greatest  Speed, 
Safest. 

Hydraulic  Passenger  and  Freight. 

Electric  Passenger  and  Freight. 
Patent  Steel  Screw  Belt  Passenger  and  Freight. 
Patent  Spur  Gear  Freight,  Hand  and  Sidewalk. 

* 

Send  for  Catalogue. 

GRAVES  ELEVATOR  CO., 

ROCHESTER,  N.  Y. 


NEW  YORK 

92,   94  LIBERTY  STREET. 


BOSTON 

53  STATE  STREET. 


ATLANTA,  GA. 

INMAN  BUILDING. 


CHAS.  VOGEL,  President  and  Superintendent. 

FREDERICK  S.  ROGERS,  Vice-President,   Secretary,  and  Treasurer. 

THEODORE  J.  VOGEL,  Assistant  Superintendent. 


THE 


John  Siddons  Company. 


^  Roofing. 


Copper  and  Galvanized   Iron 
Cornice  Works. 


HOWE  &   BASSETT, 


61=63=65  North  Water  St. 


Rochester,  N.  Y. 


Jobbers  in 


Plumbing  and  Steam  Fitting 
Supplies. 


PLUMBING,   HEATING,  AND  GREEN- 
HOUSE WORK  A  SPECIALTY. 


USE  THE  ELECTRIC  BOILER 


For  Heating  Your  House. 


32  Stillson   Street,   Near  Main, 

16-18=20  Achilles  Street, 

ROCHESTER,  N.  Y. 


J.  ALBERT  SIMPSON,  Treasurer. 


Incorporated  1826. 


Capital    $250,000. 


HENRY   E.  SHELDON,  Aoent. 


GRANITE  RAILWAY  COMPANY, 

Principal  Office,   166  DEVONSHIRE  ST.,  BOSTON,  MASS. 

Monumental  and  Building  Granites 


Quarries  at  West  Quincy,  Mass.,  and  Concord,  N.  H. 

Proprietors  of  the  Railway  Quarry,  Quincy,  Mass. 


To  enumfrate  all  the  Monuments  and   Buildings  erected  in  \-arious  parts  of  the  country  from  nur  Quincy  and  Concord 
Granites,   would  take  up  too  much  space,   but  we  mention  a  few  prominent  ones: 


Monuments  Erected  from  our  Quincy  Granite. 

Bunker   Hill    Monument.   Charlestown    district. 

Boston. 
President  Arthur's  monument.  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
Pedestal  of  Henry  Ward    Beecher's  monument ; 
Pedestal  of  Gen.  Grant's  monument  in  Brooklyn, 

and  the  Utica,  N.  Y..  soldiers'  monument. 

ESTIMATES  PROMPTLY  GIVEN. 


Buildings  Erected  from  our  Quincy  Granite. 

The  Custom  House.  Boston.  Mass. 
The  old  Tremont  House,  Boston,  Mass. 
The  Custom  House,  New  York  city. 
The  Astor  House,  New  York  city. 
Agricultural  Hall,  New  Orleans,  La. 
The  Custom  House,  New  Orleans,  La. 


Machine  Shop  and  Polishing  Works  at  West  Quincy,  Mass. 


Buildings  Erected  from  our  Concord  Granite. 

City  Hall,  Horticultural  Hall,  and  Rialto  bldg., 
Boston  :  New  York  Life  Assurance,  German  Sav- 
ings Bank,  and  the  Staats  Zeitung  bldgs.  in  New- 
York  city;  Hartford  Fire  Ins.  Co.'s.  and  Charter 
Oak  Ins.  Co.'s  bldgs..  Hartford,  Conn.,  and  the 
Monroe  County  Court  House,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 

WORK  STRICTLY  FIRST=CLASS. 


THE  5aunders  studio. 


^ 


By  Photography 

Portraits  j:Sl„ 

In  Carbon 


PORTLAND 
CEMENT^  .^ 


'T^HE  Portland  Cement  used  in  the  construction  of  the 
■^  Court  House  was  supplied  by  S.  B.  Stuart  &  Co., 
Rochester,  N.  Y.,  agents  for  the  Empire  Portland  Cement 
Works  at  Warners,  N.  Y.  Over  two  thousand  barrels, 
or  four  hundred  tons,  were  furnished  for  this  work  alone. 


JAMES  GAFFNEY. 


JOHN  J.  McGAHAN. 


Portraits  in  Water  Colors. 


GAFFNEY  &  McGAHAN, 

STEAM  AND  GAS  FITTERS, 


J  98  MiU  Street,  ROCHESTER,  N.  Y. 


Hot  Water  Heating  a  Speciality. 

Estimates  Furnished. 


Portraits  in  Crayon. 


^ 


ONLY  HIGH-GRADE  WORK. 


IRVING  SAUNDERS, 

Manager. 


HE  new  Court  House  of  Monroe  County  is 
equipped  througliout  witli  the  Iron-Armored 
Conduit  System  for  electric  lighting,  manu- 
factured by  the  Interior  Conduit  and  Insula- 
tion Company,  general  offices  and  works, 
No.  527  West  34th  Street,  New  York  City. 


J.  L.  SHEEHAN,  ^^^ 

BRIGHTON,  N.  Y., 


FURNISHED  ALL  THE 


SAND 


Used  in  the  Foundation,  Stonework,  Brickwork,  and  for  Laying  all  the  Tile  and 
Cement  Floors,  and  also  for  all  Concrete  Work  on  the  top  of  Floor=arches  in  the 

NEW  COURT  HOUSE, 


Amounting  to  Over  5000  Loads. 


Any  Architect  or  Builder  will  tell  you  that  Sheehan's  Sand   is  SHARP,  CLEAN,  and  the 
VERY    BEST    to  be  found  in    Monroe   County.       I  will    Deliver  to  any  part  of    Rochester. 


Bromley,  Miller  &  More, 

CONTRACTORS  FOR  FURNITURE  IN 
MONROE  COUNTY  COURT   HOUSE  J« 


We  can  Furnish  the  Flowers, 


Special  Attention 

given  to  all  kinds  of 

Order  Work, 


We  always  have  on  hand  a  large  stock  of  Parlor,  Library, 
and  Office  Furniture,  and  all  kinds  of  Upholstered  Work. 

We  make  a  specialty  of  Fancy 
Cabinet  Work,  and  odd  pieces. 


Bromley,  Miller  &  More, 

181-187  East  Main  Street. 


SALTER   BROS., 


Florists. 


38  West  Main  Street,  opposite  the  Court  House, 
and  3  and  5  East  Avenue,  Liberty  BIdg. 


The  vetter  desk^ 


HIGH-GRADE  WORKMANSHIP 
AND  FINISH. 


KEEPING  ALWAYS  ON  HAND  A  LARGE  ASSORTMENT 
IN  ALL  SIZES  OF  ROLLER  CURTAIN  DESKS,  AT  EX- 
TREMELY LOW  PRICES,  WE  CAN  SATISFY  PARTIES 
WANTING  TO  INVEST  ONLY  A  SMALL  SUM  IN  A  DESK 
AS  WELL  AS  THOSE  WHO  ARE  LOOKING  FOR  THE 
VERY  BEST   TO  BE  HAD.  M  j*  j*  M  J*  ^  *  J*  .^  j*  jt  ^'t  ^ 


9t 


VETTER  Desk  Works, 


30-36  RIVER  STREET, 


(NEAR  N.  Y.  C.  DEPOT) 


ROCHESTER,  N.Y. 


High  Art  Photo  Studio. 


«i$5    t^    fc^ 


WE  EXHIBIT  THE  VERY  LATEST  IN 
HIGH  ART  PORTRAITURE,  viz.:.'*.'*.* 


CARBON,    IN  DIFFERENT  TINTS, 
^      MONO -TINT     PLATINUM,    BLACK  AND  SEPIA, 

m  PASTEL  and  WATER  COLOR, 


OT  TR     PART  ORS  ^^^  ^^^  ™°^*  convenient,  our  Gallery  is  the  best  equipped,  and 
^ ^'^  especially  designed  to  meet  the  latest  demands  in  Photographic 

Art.     The  result  is  first-class  work  in  the  most  artistic  style. 


LIBERTY  BUILDING. 

COR.  EAST  AVE.  AND  MAIN  ST. 


J.  E.  Mock. 


In  our  '96  Model  Humming  Bird  Bicycle  we  have  embodied  the  essential  fea- 
tures necessary  to  the  production  of  a  first-class^  high-grade  bicycle.  We  are  manufacturers 
of  four  years'  experience.    Your  inspection  and  patronage  are  respectfully  solicited. 


BETTYS   &  MABBETT  CO., 

Salesroom :    34  East  Avenue,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 


Easy  Running  ^  ^  ^ 


Superb  Workmanship 


Ride  a  Humming  Bird  Bicycle  and  be  happy* 


BETTYS  &  MABBETT  CO., 

Salesroom  s   34  East  Avenue,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 


Strong  and  Durable  -jc 


Correct  Lines  ^  -^^  -.^ 


Our  Specialties  .j: 


Handsomest  Register  Made 


Furniture  to  Order, 

Choice  Articles  in  Vernis-Martin  Decorations 
and  Marquetry, 

Beautiful  Tapestries, 

Hair  Mattresses  to  Order  and  First-CIass 
Live  Geese  Feathers. 


^^^^♦S?^ 
^      \ 


STALLKNIGHT 

&  SCHMINKE, 

I37-I39-I4J  East  Main  St. 

opposite  Sibley,  Lindsay  &  Curr's. 


NEW  WALL  REGISTER,  ORNAMENTED 
WITH  ENAMELED  EMBOSSED  TILE.  ■.•<  .•« 
SIMILAR  ARTICLE  FOR   FLOORS.  ■.•*  ■*  -.^ 


RIVES  &  CO., 

ROCHESTER,  N.  Y. 


New^  Catalogue  has 
colored  illustrations. 


Security  Trust  Co., 

Granite  Building,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 

After  January   ist,  IS97,  at  our  own  New  Building:, 
cor.  East  Main  and  South  Water  Sts. 


^^f§^^k?^^^^)'y^l^'<^'^^M^ 


Capital,  =  =  = 

Stockholders'  Additional   Liability, 
Surplus,  =  =  = 


$2(XK00() 
200,(KM) 
150,000 


EDWARD   HARRIS,   president. 
JAMES  S.  WATSON,   ist  vice-pres.  WILLIAM   L.   MERCER,    secretary. 

ALEX.   M.    LINDSAY,   2D  vice-pres.  FRANK    M.    FlLERY,    ASSrsT.   secy. 

HARRIS  &    HARRIS,   counsel.  WILLIAM    H.WARD,  suPT.  of  VAULTS. 


EDWARD    HARRIS 
HIRAM    W.     SIBLEY. 
BENJ.    E.    CHASE. 
THOS.    W.     FINUCANE, 
ALEX.    W.    LINDSAY 
JAMES   S.    WATSON. 
OILMAN    H.    PERKINS, 
EUGENE    H.    SATTERLEE, 


TRUSTEES. 

J.    LEE    JUDSON. 
RUFUS    K.    DRYER 
ALBERT    H.     HARRIS, 
ERICKSON    PERKINS 
WILLIAM    L.    MERCER. 
RUFUS   A.    SIBLEY, 
JULIUS    M.    WILE, 
FRED    P.    ALLEN. 


GILBERT    BRADY, 
WM.    E.    WERNER, 
J.    ALEX.    HAYDEN, 
GRANGER   A.    HOLLISTER, 
C.    WALTER    SMITH, 
JOSEPH    T.     ALLING. 
E.    S.     ETTENHEIMER, 
GEORGE   WILDER. 


This  Company  is  authorized  to  act  as  Executor,  Trustee,  Admiuistrator.  or 
Assignee.  Transacts  a  General  Banking  Bn.siness  and  .solicits  the  accounts  of 
firms  and  individuals.  Allows  interest  on  deposits.  Loans  money  on  bond  and 
mortgage  and  approved  .securities.  I.s  a  legal  depository  for  court  and  trust  funds 
by  appointment  of  the  Comptroller  of  the  State  of  New  York.  Al.so  has  been 
designated  by  Superintendent  of  Banking  Department  of  the  State  of  New  York 
as  Depository  for  Reserve  Fund.s  of  State  Hanks.  Acts  as  Registrar  and  Transfer 
Agent  of  Stocks  and  Bonds.  Draws  bills  of  exchange  on  New  York  City  and  all 
the  principal  cities  of  Europe,  and  issues  letters  of  credit  to  travelers. 

Safe  Deposit  Boxes  rented  In  New  Burg/ar-Proof  Vault.  Prices, 
$5.00  to  $40.00  per  year.  Silverwear,  Boxes,  and  Trunks,  contain' 
ing  valuables,  received  for  safe-keeping.     Moderate  charges. 


iiiiilliilifiiiii! 
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LIBRARY  OF  CONGRESS 


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